English

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Hypoglycemia is one of the most common metabolic problems encountered in neonates. Hypoglycemia in neonates can be symptomatic and asymptomatic. Hypoglycemia is known to be associated with brain dysfunction and neuromotor developmental retardation. The glucose oxidase method used in the laboratory for determining the blood glucose concentration is precise and specific for glucose. As it is usually performed in the main laboratory, the results are not available quickly enough for timely appropriate management. The glucometers are often used for blood glucose estimation in NICU. Many studies have shown that their results co-relate well with the laboratory measured glucose levels in the normoglycemic and hyperglycemic range but are not satisfactory in the lower range. OBJECTIVES: This is a prospective study done to determine the efficacy of glucometer in estimation of blood glucose levels in neonates in comparison with the laboratory values. METHODS: 250 neonates admitted in NICU, KIMS hospital, Bangalore with varied symptomatology were enrolled in this study. Blood glucose estimation was done by glucometer and laboratory method using the same venous sample at the time of admission. For the last 50 cases glucometer estimation of capillary blood was also done. Statistical analysis was done by using Pearson correlation. Hypoglycemia was defined as blood glucose level 45mg%(0.756) and when the value is <45mg%, there is just a moderate correlation(0.417). Though the pick-up rate of hypoglycemia by venous blood glucometer (28%) was slightly better compared to the capillary blood glucometer value (22%), the overall pick-up rate of hypoglycemia by glucometer is very low compared to the laboratory method (56%). CONCLUSION: The glucometer as a sole measuring device to screen neonatal hypoglycemia is not satisfactory and confirmation with the laboratory measurements of plasma glucose is still of up