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Screening of blood glucose levels in healthy neonates.

INTRODUCTION
This study aimed to screen the blood glucose levels in healthy term and near-term neonates, and to assess the influence of mode of delivery, birth weight and gestational age on blood glucose levels.


METHODS
The blood glucose concentrations of 1,540 healthy term and near-term neonates in the first hour of life were retrospectively evaluated from the clinical charts. Glucose levels were estimated from heel prick capillary samples. The glucose concentration was correlated with the mode of delivery, birth weight and gestational age.


RESULTS
Vaginally delivered neonates had higher glucose levels. The glucose concentrations were not significantly different between infants in the different birth weight groups. However, glucose concentration was significantly correlated with gestational age, and the levels were observed to rise with increasing gestational age.


CONCLUSION
Screening asymptomatic, healthy term and near-term neonates for hypoglycaemia in the first hour following birth is unnecessary. Glucose strips and glucose meters are useful only as screening devices for neonatal hypoglycaemia, and a screening cut-off value must be established.