Haroon Hamid, Akmal Laeeq Chishti.
Neonatal hypoglycemia: an underreported entity in high risk neonates.
Pak J Pathol Jan ;11(3):103-9.

A total of 223 neonates admitted in NICU of the Children`s hospital, Lahore were screened for hypoglycemia with glucometer and 91 (40.8%) of them were found to have one or more blood glucose readings less than 40mg/dl, either at admission (89%) or during stay (11%). The commonest high-risk groups in decreasing order of frequency included: sepsis (35%), prematurity (31%), asphyxia (14%), congenital heart disease and Rh incompatibility. Low birth weight (LBW) was found to be an important associated factor (56%). Poor feeding (96%) and hypothermia (38%) were also present. Male to female ratio was 3:1. Hypoglycemia was found to be more frequent during the first 48 hours of life (59%). Weight <2000gms (40% of all hypoglycemics) and gestation <31 weeks (56% of all preterm hypoglycemics) were frequently associated with hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia was more frequent in premature (48%) and post-mature (40%)neonates compared to full-term infants (36%). All 91 neonates were symptomatic. Majority (72%) responded to minibolus followed by glucose infusion as 4-6 mg/kg/min. Only 5 patients manifested recurrence at glucose infusion rate (GIR) more than 6mg/kg/min. Of these 4 had persistent hypoglycemia and three of them required steroids. Rebound hypoglycemia was found in 18%, but 76% of them were premature. To conclude it can be recommended that all admitted high risk neonates should be screened and monitored for hypoglycemia.

PakMediNet -Pakistan's largest Database of Pakistani Medical Journals - http://www.pakmedinet.com