457 BLOOD GLUCOSE IN RELATION TO VARIOUS CLINICAL CONDITIONS, PLASMA INSULIN, GLUCAGON AND GROWTH HORMONE IN PREMATURE INFANTS

Abstract

Blood glucose and glucose regulating hormones: insulin, glucagon and growth hormone were measured in blood drawn from 31 premature infants weighing 1670 gm or less in the following study period: 0-12, 13-24, 25-48, 49-72, 73-96 hours of age. The levels of blood glucose were analyzed in relation to the levels of glucose regulating hormones, intravenous glucose infusion rates and the presence of various clinical conditions; birth weights 1000 gm or less, gestational age less than 32 weeks, small for gestational age, chronic intrauterine stress, perinatal asphyxia, central nervous system (CNS) hemorrhage and mortality. The mean (range) blood glucose levels during the intervals of collection were 145 (26-700), 157 (31-450), 109 (41-465), 145 (65-1000) and 91 (30-203) mg/dl, respectively. Hypoglycemia with blood glucose levels of 20 mg/dl or less was prevented, but transient neonatal hyperglycemia with blood glucose levels of 125 mg/dl or more occurred frequently (80.6%:25 of 31 infants and 32%:41 of 128 samples). Hyperglycemia occurred more often in infants who had perinatal asphyxia or CNS hemorrhage and who died. Insulin, glucagon, growth hormone and intravenous glucose infusion rates do not seem to be responsible for hyperglycemia. Hyperglycemia during intravenous infusion alone seems not to be due to glucose infusion per se, but to be due to concurrent critical conditions that are often associated with hyperglycemia.