Clinical Profile of Hypoglycemia in Neonates

Objective: To determine the clinical manifestations of hypoglycemic neonates presenting at a tertiary care facility. Method: This was a cross sectional study conducted at neonatal unit, National Institute of Child Health, Karachi from 10th December 2013 to 9th December 2014. All hypoglycemic neonates of either gender and term gestation were enrolled. Detailed relevant history and clinical examination was considered i.e. Refusal to feed , jitteriness, seizures, lethargy, respiratory distress and hypothermia. Blood sample for glucose level was sent to the institutional laboratory. Blood glucose values less than 40 mg/ dl (2.8mm0l/1) was considered as hypoglycemia. Data was analysed in SPSS version 17 .P value < 0.05 level as taken as significant. Results : Mean age , weight and gestational age of the neonates were 14.69 ± 10.23 days, 3.16 ± 0.46 kg and 3.16 ± 0.46 weeks respectively . There were 65 (59.10%) female and 45 (40.90%) male patients. Frequent clinical manifestation were refusal to feed (43%) , jitteriness (35%), respiratory distress (33%), lethargy (27%), seizures (11%) and hypothermia (11%). Conclusion : Refusal to feed was the commonest clinical expression in hypoglycemic neonates. It builds our threshold for management and prevention strategies towards hypoglycemic neonates with diverse clinical picture.