Early Glycaemic Derangement in Newborn: A Cross-Sectional Analysis of Babies Born in an Urban Private Hospital in Benin City, Nigeria

Abstract

The transition from fetal to extra-uterine life in neonates is characterized by often dramatic physiological, metabolic and endocrine changes in order to maintain homeostasis. Glycaemic disturbances are frequently noted in the early post-natal period in neonates. Abnormal glucose levels have been shown to have a negative impact on neurologic outcomes in term and preterm babies as well as an increased risk of death. This study, therefore, sought to describe the glycaemic status of newborn infants delivered in a private hospital in Benin City. The birth record of all babies delivered at the hospital from January 2020 to December 2020 was retrospectively reviewed. The data on random blood glucose concentration of all neonates were collected which had been measured within three hours of delivery using Accu-Check® Active (Roche) device after obtaining blood by heel prick over the period. The associations between glucose level and independent variables such as mothers' age, parity, type of gestation, gestational age, mode of delivery, and baby's gender, were investigated using Chi-square statistics and fisher's exact correction where necessary. A multivariate regression analysis was done to identify factors that are independently associated with glycaemic derangement. A P-value of less than 0.05 was accepted as the level of statistical significance. Four hundred and seventy-two mothers were included in the study. The mean age (SD) of mothers was 31.07 ± 5.3 years. Most (410; 82.0%) of neonates were delivered at term with about half (269;53.8%) being males. 63(12.6%) of the babies had low birth weight, 405 (81.0%) had normal birth weight while 32 (6.4%) had high birth weight. Hypoglycemia was noticed in 36(7.2%), hyperglycemia in 7 (1.4%) and the majority (457;91.4%) had normal blood glucose levels at birth. Glycaemic status was significantly associated with birth weights (p = 0.013) and preterm gestational age at delivery (p = 0.025). There was no significant statistical association between parity and glycaemic status (p = 0.914). Our study revealed a high prevalence of hypoglycemia (7.2%) and hyperglycemia (1.4%) in newborns. Prematurity and abnormal birth weights were significantly associated with hypoglycemia in newborns.