Ann Pediatr Endocrinol Metab.  2015 Dec;20(4):213-219. 10.6065/apem.2015.20.4.213.

Blood glucose levels within 7 days after birth in preterm infants according to gestational age

• Yoon JY
• Chung HR
• Choi CW
• Yang SW
• Kim BI
• Shin CH

• KMID: 2354698
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.6065/apem.2015.20.4.213

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study investigated blood glucose levels in preterm babies according to gestational age (GA).
METHODS
Subjects were 141 preterm infants with a GA<34 weeks. Data on blood glucose levels, GA, body weight, glucose infusion rate, and other contributing factors in the first 7 days after birth were analyzed. Hypoglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level of <40 mg/dL up to 24 hours after birth and as <50 mg/dL thereafter. Hyperglycemia was defined as a blood glucose level >180 mg/dL.
RESULTS
During the 7 days after birth, hypo- and hyperglycemia occurred in 29 (29 of 141, 20.6%) and 42 (42 of 141, 29.8%) neonates, respectively. During the first 2 hours, 18 neonates (12.8%) exhibited hypoglycemia, and only 2 (2 of 141, 1.4%) developed hyperglycemia. From 6 to 24 hours, hypo- and hyperglycemia were observed in 0 and 9 (9 of 141, 6.4%) neonates, respectively. Infants small for their GA (SGA) were at risk for hypoglycemia both within 24 hours (odds ratio [OR], 2.718; P=0.045) and during days 2 to 7 (OR, 4.454; P=0.006), and hyperglycemia during days 2 to 7 (OR, 3.200; P=0.005). Low 1-minite Apgar score was risk factor for both hypo- and hyperglycemia during days 2 to 7 (OR, 0.756; P=0.035 for hypoglycemia and OR, 0.789; P=0.016 for hyperglycemia). Both hypo- and hyperglycemia within 24 hours were less common in those who started feeding (OR, 0.294; P=0.013 for hypoglycemia and OR, 0.162; P=0.011 for hyperglycemia).
CONCLUSION
Careful blood glucose level monitoring is required in preterm infants, especially SGA infants or those with low Apgar score. Early feeding could be beneficial for maintaining euglycemia.

Keyword

Blood glucose level; Preterm; Birth weight; Gestational age

MeSH Terms

Apgar Score
Birth Weight
Blood Glucose*
Body Weight
Gestational Age*
Glucose
Humans
Hyperglycemia
Hypoglycemia
Infant
Infant, Newborn
Infant, Premature*
Parturition*
Risk Factors
Blood Glucose
Glucose

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Blood glucose levels within 24 hours. (A) In all the subjects; (B) subjects with gestational age<28 weeks; (C) 28 to <30 weeks; (D) 30 to <32 weeks; and (E) ≥32 weeks. Lower and upper limit are mean±2standard deviation. Bars express inter quartile range. *Outlier.

• 

  Fig. 2 Blood glucose levels over 7 days. (A) In all the subjects; (B) subjects with gestational age <28 weeks; (C) 28 to <30 weeks; (D) 30 to <32 weeks; and (E) ≥32 weeks. Lower and upper limit are mean±2standard deviation. Bars express inter quartile range. *Outlier.

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