Point of Care Blood Glucose Profile of Neonates in a Lagos State Owned Tertiary Health Facility in Ikeja, Lagos, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Blood glucose abnormality is a well-recognized problem among sick neonates but its diagnosis is overlooked because of the similarity in its clinical presentation to that of the primary disease of the affected neonates. The objective of this study was to determine the blood glucose profile of sick neonates at the point of admission into the paediatric ward of Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Lagos. Methods: At the point of admission venous sample was taken from the peripheral vein of the neonates whose parents consented to be part of the study for blood glucose concentration estimation. Detailed history and general and physical examination were carried out. Results: The prevalence of hypoglycaemia, normoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia were 32.7%, 60.8% and 6.5% respectively. The prevalence of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia were significantly higher among neonates with gestational age at delivery <37 weeks compared to those ≥37– 42 weeks (p = 0.041). The prevalence of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia were also significantly higher among neonates with weight on admission of >1.5 – 2.5Kg compared with their counterparts with weight ≤1.5Kg or >2.5Kg (p = <0.0001) as well as neonates that were large for gestational age and those with preterm delivery as their clinical diagnosis on admission. Conclusion: Dysglycaemia was common among hospitalized sick neonates with hypoglycaemia being the most common. Prevalent clinical conditions associated with dysglycaemia were preterm delivery and low gestational age at birth.