SEARCHCROSS-SECTIONALpediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology

cross-sectional·pediatrics, obstetrics and gynecology, endocrinology, epidemiology, family medicine·PMC10041235

A cross-sectional study on the frequency and risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia in babies born in rural Kerala

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care · 2 authors, 2 centres

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TL;DR

Exclusive breastfeeding was associated with a significantly lower incidence (10.5%) compared to formula feeding (33.3%).

Full summary

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Data were collected over one year using interviewer-administered proformas and hospital records, with glucose monitoring and analysis of feeding patterns. The overall incidence of hypoglycemia was 15.3%. Prematurity and small for gestational age were identified as main risk factors. The peak incidence occurred in the first hour of life. The incidence of hypoglycemia was significantly lower in babies who were exclusively breastfed (10.5%) compared to those on formula feeds due to medical reasons (33.3%). Limitations include the study being conducted at a single center. The findings highlight the importance of early and exclusive breastfeeding to prevent hypoglycemia in high-risk neonates.

STUDY TYPE

cross-sectional

SPECIALTY

pediatrics

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100% · A

ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10041235

A cross-sectional study on the frequency and risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia in babies born in rural Kerala

Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care

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ABSTRACT

A BSTRACT Introduction: Glucose is the main source of energy for the developing brain. Hypoglycemia is a commonly encountered and treatable problem in the neonatal period. The newborn baby should be breastfed soon after delivery and continued on demand breastfeeding. As families become nuclear, mothers may not have the necessary skills and knowledge about the importance of exclusive breastfeeding. Health care workers play an important role in preparing the mothers for exclusive breastfeeding and ensuring that the newborn remains euglycemic. Problems encountered during breastfeeding should be corrected on an individual basis, and uninterrupted feeding should be ensured as per BFHI guidelines. Aim: To find out the frequency and risk factors of hypoglycemia and its relation to feeding in babies of GDM mothers, large for gestational age, and small for gestational age babies in a baby-friendly hospital adhering to the BFHI guidelines. Materials and Methods: A single-center, observational study was carried out among 160 consecutively born babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes, large for gestational age and small for gestational age for a period of one year from October 2018 to September 2019. Data was collected using an interviewer administered proforma and from antenatal and postnatal records. Glucose monitoring was done and values were recorded. Data was analysed using SPSS software. Qualitative data was expressed as percentage. and quantitative data was expressed as mean and standard deviation. Association with risk factors was studied using the Chi-squared test. Results: The overall incidence of hypoglycemia was 15.3% in our study. The main risk factors identified were prematurity and small for gestational age. Maximum incidence of hypoglycemia was noted in the first 24 hours after birth. Incidence of hypoglycemia in exclusively breastfed babies was only 10.5% compared to those on formula feeds where breastfeeding was contraindicated due to medical reasons and where the incidence was found to be 33.3%. Incidence of hypoglycemia was 50%. The most common symptoms of hypoglycemia were jitteriness and poor feeding. Eleven per cent of babies had asymptomatic hypoglycemia. In babies detected to have hypoglycemia, prompt treatment with oral feeds or intravenous (IV) dextrose was started. There was no mortality in the study population. Conclusion: Incidence of hypoglycemia was maximum in the first hour of life, highlighting the need to start early feeds and to do meticulous monitoring in high-risk babies like pre-term babies, small for gestational age, large for gestational age and babies of diabetic mothers. The incidence of hypoglycemia in exclusively the breastfed group was 10.5%. This showed that confident and successful breastfeeding with the support of health care staff should be the norm to prevent hypoglycemia, and preparation for breastfeeding should begin right from the antenatal period. Keywords: Breast feeding, gestational diabetes mellitus, hypoglycemia, low birth weight

CITATION EXPORT

Swapna K Pillai, VK Fhausiya. A cross-sectional study on the frequency and risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia in babies born in rural Kerala. Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care. (2022). https://doi.org/10.4103/jfmpc.jfmpc_439_22

AUTHORS

2 · 2 CENTRES

Swapna K Pillai, VK Fhausiya

1 Associate Professor, Department of Paediatrics, Sree Gokulam Medical College, Venjarammoodu, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
2 Department of Paediatrics, Sree Gokulam Medical College, Venjarammoodu, Sreesivam, Karikkakom PO, Thiruvananthapuram, India