Incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia: an insight from China

Abstract

Abstract Background Neonatal hypoglycemia is one of the most common metabolic problems in newborns, which can lead to brain damage and increase the risk of developmental delay. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia in neonates and to identify associated risk factors using data from one major hospital in one Province of China. Methods Case control study was used on newborns who gave birth between 2016 and 2021 in China. Authors developed a case-control study at a tertiary hospital database between Jan 1, 2016 and Jan 2021. The Cases were identified on the basis of having an outcome of hypoglycemia. Four controls per case (1:4) were randomly selected. Then, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors related to the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia. Results 16.8% (255) newborns in the cohort had hypoglycemia within 24 hours of birth. Besides, logistic regression analyses showed that cesarean section (OR:3.800,95%CI:8.223–23.158), maternal diabetes(OR:7.416,95%CI:4.287–12.828), maternal hypertension(OR:8.019,95%CI:3.933–16.348), small for gestational age (OR:3.894,95%CI:1.428–10.622), neonatal hypothermia(OR:17.130,95%CI:10.899–26.925) and neonatal infection(OR:17.038,95%CI:5.520–52.590) were risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia. Conclusion In a contemporary cohort in China, the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia can be considered high, and the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia is significantly correlated with various clinical factors. Monitoring these risk factors has to be one of the key measures to reduce the adverse consequences caused by neonatal hypoglycemia.