Background: Glucose metabolism disorders are common in low birth weight (LBW) infants and are associated with high morbidity and mortality. Neonatal hypoglycemia, a common metabolic problem, often goes unnoticed owing to lack of specific symptoms. Hypoglycemia both symptomatic and asymptomatic can lead to long term neurological sequelae. Therefore, it needs early management to prevent brain damage in a developing neonate.Subjects and Methods:This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors associated with hypoglycemia in low birth weight infants. Design: A hospital-based prospective longitudinal study. Duration: One year (October 2017 – October 2018). Setting: Niloufer Hospital, Hyderabad. Participants: 50 LBW neonates with birth weight less than 2500 grams. Methods: Blood glucose values were measured at the age of 1 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h after delivery which was independent of feeding time. Blood glucose value less than 40 mg/dl (2.2 mmol/l) was defined as hypoglycemia. For statistical analysis, SPSS software version 20 was used.Result:Out of 50 neonates, 15(30%) had one or more episode of hypoglycemia. Overall 22 episodes were recorded. Out of 15 hypoglycemic neonates 8(53.3%) were small for gestational age (SGA) and 7(46.7%) were AGA. Sepsis was significantly noticed after hypoglycemia. The pattern of blood glucose levels was significantly different among hypoglycemic babies and normoglycemic babies over first 72 hours.Conclusion:Hypoglycemia was frequent among low birth weight babies more so in SGA babies in first 24 hours.

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