Prevalence and Risk factors of Hypoglycaemia in Neonates at St. Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Ethiopia: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Background Hypoglycaemia is a common metabolic abnormality seen in neonates that can cause preventable death. Its overall incidence has been estimated to be 1 to 5 per 1,000 live births, with higher incidence in at-risk populations. There is limited data regarding its prevalence and risk factors in developing countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study was aimed to determine the prevalence and risk factors of neonatal hypoglycaemia in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Saint Paul’s Hospital Millennium Medical College (SPHMMC), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Methodology A cross sectional study was conducted from June 17 to August 3, 2018 at SPHMMC, NICU. Neonates whose age was less than 48hrs and admitted to NICU were enrolled. Sociodemographic, maternal and neonatal factors were collected using structured questionnaire. Blood glucose was measured using glucometer with a test strip. Random blood glucose level < 47mg/dl was taken as a cut-off point to define hypoglycaemia. The data was entered and analysed using SPSS version 20. Results Neonatal hypoglycaemia was detected in 25% (49/196) of the neonates. Birth weight, duration of labor, maternal age, time of feeding initiation, hypothermia and respiratory distress syndrome were associated with hypoglycaemia. 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 NICU of SPHMMC and was associated with low birth weight and hypothermia. These findings calls for early detection of hypoglycaemia, prevention of hypothermia and early initiation of feeding to prevent neonatal morbidity and mortality.

Maximizing the detection rate of hypoglycemia among preterm neonates admitted in Neonatal intensive care unit in Ethiopia, 2021

“…This finding is consistent with another study conducted in Nigeria, which found that 28.3% 26 , and Ethiopia, 25% 8 . However, the finding is higher than the study conducted in Israel 22 , in Kenyatta National Hospital 14.7% 27 , in Tehran hospital 15.15% 28 , in India 21.2% 29 , and Uganda 2.2% 3 .…”

“…Sampling procedure. The sample size was determined using the single population proportion formula by considering the following assumptions: 95% confidence interval, 5% margin of error (d), and taking the p value from the previous study conducted in St. Paul's Hospital Millennium Medical College Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Ethiopia 8 . Therefore, the final sample size after adding 5% was 304.…”

Incidence of Persistent Neonatal Hypoglycemia and Associated Factors among Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admissions in South Gondar Public Hospitals, Northcentral Ethiopia: a prospective cross sectional study

“…The unpublished finding indicated that neonatal hypoglycemia was 25% in St. Paul Millennium Hospital Medical College in Ethiopia. 2 The variation might be due to the fact the studies used transient hypoglycemia within 48 hours after delivery which in turn consists of physiological hypoglycemia that later remains the norm glycemic state after the physiological process (48 hour-72hours) duration. This discrepancy might arise due to the sample size variation and some clinical setup variation found among studies.…”

“…1 Most neonates have transient hypoglycemia which responds to treatment and is associated with a good prognosis compared with persistent hypoglycemia. 2 If hypoglycemia occurs after 48 hours of age is termed persistent pathological hypoglycemia by which clinical manifestations are generated in the short term with abrupt injury and neurodevelopmental sequelae in long-term effect. 3 4 In normal physiology, the neonates' random blood glucose level (RBS) drops by 25-30 mg/dL and may lower down to 55-60 mg/dL in the first three hours of life.…”

Determinants of Noninvasive Ventilation Failure Among Neonates with Respiratory Distress Admitted to the Intensive Care Unit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: An Unmatched Case-Control Study Design

“…The hospital has 20 neonatal beds. 13 Yekatit 12 Hospital Medical College is serving more than 5 million people in the catchment area. The hospital has 9 departments and 6 units and has 12 neonatal beds.…”