A Study of Prevalence, Risk Factors and Clinical Profile of Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Objectives: The objectives of the study was to know the prevalence of neonatal hypoglycemia, clinical presentation and the various risk factors resulting in hypoglycemia.

Method: Babies born in our hospital were screened for hypoglycemia. Babies having hypoglycemia at birth and babies with risk factors for hypoglycemia were included in our study. These babies were monitored for hypoglycemia by using glucose strips and confirmed by laboratory method for the first 72hrs and these babies were also observed for clinical presentation. Data collected was statistically analysed by using 't' test.

Results: The prevalence of neonatal hypoglycemia was 9.4% in our hospital with male to female ratio was 1.46:1. Study shown percentage of hypoglycemia is more common in infant of diabetic mother and in birth asphyxia (06.59% each) followed by meconium aspiration syndrome babies (04.30%). Hypoglycemia was more in Cesarean born babies 57.14% than other modes. Hypoglycemia was observed in significant number during first 24hours of life and symptomatic cases were only 36.27%. In Clinical presentation respiratory distress was the commonest symptom followed by jitteriness, lethargy; seizures and combination of all these symptoms were in large number. Hypoglycemia was common in preterm babies 54.94%. Hypoglycemia in intrauterine growth retardation babies was significant number 63%, off these asymmetrical intrauterine growth retarded babies were71.42%. Neonatal hypoglycemia by laboratory(GOP)method was only 37.30%.

Conclusion: Hypoglycemia is a common metabolic disorder in neonatal period leading to brain dysfunction causing significant neonatal morbidity and mortality, it has to be evaluated and intervened early.