Study of hypoglycemia in neonates with low birth weight

Abstract

Background and Aim: The maintenance of normoglycemia in newborns depends upon the adequacy of glycogen stores, maturation of glycogenolytic and gluconeogenic pathways, and integrated endocrine response. The current study, therefore, proposes to observe the clinical profile of low-birth-weight babies concerning the occurrence of hypoglycemia.

Materials and Methods: The neonates with a weight of fewer than 2500 grams were included in the study. A total of 100 infants were included in the study. They were divided into two groups with infants with hypoglycemia in one group and infants with normoglycemic in another group. The aseptic condition was maintained and with the help of heel prick, the capillary blood was collected. The capillary blood was screened with the help of reagent strips.

Results: Out of the total 100 neonates, a total of 76 neonates were normoglycemic and 24 neonates had hypoglycaemic episodes. Overall 22 episodes of hypoglycemia were recorded. There was no significant association between birth weight and episodes of hypoglycemia. The majority of hypoglycaemic infants were male.

Conclusion: Hypoglycemia associated with abnormal clinical signs (symptomatic hypoglycemia) has a poor short- and long-term outcome but evidence of risk in the absence of clinical signs (asymptomatic hypoglycemia) is inconclusive. Small for gestational age is a significant determinant for hypoglycemia. Hypoglycaemic episodes were significantly noticed in the first 24 hours as compared to another time interval.