PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF NEONATAL HYPOGLYCAEMIA AT ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE, ETHIOPIA

Authors

  • Ikram Nurussen
  • Bereket Fantahun

Keywords:

Hypoglycaemia , Prevalence , Neonates , Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Hypoglycaemia is a common metabolic abnormality in neonates that can cause preventable death. The overall incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia has been estimated to be 1 to 5 per 1,000 live births with a higher incidence in at-risk populations. There is limited data regarding neonatal hypoglycemia prevalence and risk factors in developing countries like Ethiopia. This study was aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of neonatal hypoglycemia in the neonatal intensive care unit at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted from June 17 to August 3, 2018. Neonates, whose age was less than 48hrs and admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit were enrolled. Sociodemographic, maternal and neonatal factors were collected using a structured questionnaire. Blood glucose was measured using a glucometer with a test strip. Random blood glucose level < 47mg/dl was taken as a cut-off point to define hypoglycemia. The data were entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20.

Result: Neonatal hypoglycemia was detected in 25% (49/196) of the neonates. Birth weight, duration of labor, maternal age, and time of feeding initiation, hypothermia, and respiratory distress syndrome were associated with hypoglycemia. From these factors, maternal age, birth weight, and hypothermia were found to be independent predictors of the outcome.

Conclusion: Hypoglycaemia was prevalent in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit and was associated with low birth weight and hypothermia. These findings call for early detection of hypoglycemia, prevention of hypothermia, and early initiation of feeding to prevent neonatal morbidity and mortality

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Published

2021-08-20

How to Cite

Nurussen, I. ., & Fantahun, B. . (2021). PREVALENCE AND RISK FACTORS OF NEONATAL HYPOGLYCAEMIA AT ST. PAUL’S HOSPITAL MILLENNIUM MEDICAL COLLEGE, ETHIOPIA. Ethiopian Journal of Pediatrics and Child Health, 16(1). Retrieved from https://www.ejpch.net/index.php/ejpch/article/view/80