Neonatal Hypoglycemia: Review of practice

The audit was to measure compliance to the Arrowe Park neonatal unit hypoglycaemia guideline which was adopted in 2017. The guideline reflected lowering the blood sugar threshold from 2.6 to 2.0mmol/litre in neonates from 34weeks to 42weeks gestation age. The study looked into the incidence of hypoglycaemia in babies with suspected sepsis and perinatal acidosis. METHODS This was a retrospective audit of babies at risk of hypoglycaemia on the postnatal ward.58 babies between 34weeks to 42weeks gestation age recruited from 1/2/2019 to 28/02/2019. The indications are- Prematurity- 34-36weeks (10), Infant of diabetic mother (4), Infant of the mother with gestational diabetes (6), Infant of mother on B-blockers (5). Others are suspected sepsis (11), and perinatal asphyxia/acidosis (11). Proforma generated based on British Association of perinatal medicine (BAPM) guideline on management of hypoglycaemia. RESULTS 1 out of 10 babies born at gestation age 34-37weeks and 1 out of 5 babies of born to diabetic mother had blood glucose 2, 0- They are asymptomatic.2 out of 11 babies with suspected sepsis had blood glucose <2. The 2 babies had a negative blood culture and C-reactive protein.2134 The 8th Congress of the European Academy of Paediatric Societies - EAPS 2020 Poster Presentation CONCLUSION The effect of dropping the blood sugar threshold from 2,6- 2mmmol/l is safe for this study and no record of neonate symptomatic at blood glucose of 2,0-2,6mmol/l. Risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia in neonates with suspected sepsis and cord Ph<7, 1 has not been noted in this audit. This study needs to be carried out with large sample size and possible multiple centres