PREVALENCE AND FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH ASYMPTOMATIC HYPOGLYCEMIA AMONG PRETERM NEWBORNS IN DAR ES SALAAM REGIONAL REFERRAL HOSPITALS, TANZANIA: A CROSS SECTIONAL ANALYTICAL STUDY PROTOCOL

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundHypoglycemia is the most common metabolic abnormality in newborns. It is still unclear whether the condition is truly pathological, especially if it occurs transiently during the 1st 24 hours of birth in an asymptomatic phase. Besides, there is hardly any data on the burden of asymptomatic neonatal hypoglycemia and its associated factors among preterm newborns in Africa.AimTo assess the prevalence and associated factors of asymptomatic neonatal hypoglycemia among preterm newborns in a typical African settings.Design and MethodsWe plan to conduct a quick, cross-sectional analytical hospital-based survey at all public regional referral hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. We will consider all preterm newborns delivered in the specified settings between June 2022 and December 2022. Our study population will be all preterm newborns delivered at Dar es Salaam public regional referral hospitals. Our target population will be all preterm newborns with asymptomatic hypoglycemia. All newborns with clinically detected congenital anomalies and those who will be delivered at home but brought to the facilities for care will thus be excluded from the study. Our primary outcome measure will be neonatal RBG < 2.6 mmol/L without any symptoms associated with hypoglycemia. Maternal, fetal and early neonatal (> 6 hours but within 24 hours post-delivery) factors will be logistically regressed against the outcome variable after appropriate model validation. Unless otherwise stated, an α-level of 5% will be used as a limit of type I error in findings. Written informed consent will be obtained from mothers of each newborn prior to inclusion into the study.Main Outcome measurePrevalence of asymptomatic hypoglycemia among preterm newborns in Dar es Salaam hospitals.Relevance of the findings to science, policy & practiceCurrent clinical practice does not provide evidence for routine glycaemic screening among preterm newborns asymptomatic for hypoglycemia. The study will have a potential to assess stata of preterm newborn with asymptomatic hypoglycemia