Hypoglycemia and Associated Factors among Neonates Admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit in Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Neonatal hypoglycemia is the most frequent metabolic disease in newborn infants worldwide; yet, published data on the magnitude of neonatal hypoglycemia and associated factors in Ethiopia is sparse. As a result, the
purpose of this study was to investigate the severity of hypoglycemia and associated factors in neonates admitted to
Hiwot Fana Comprehensive Specialized University Hospital in Eastern Ethiopia.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 316 newborns admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit
from November 2021 to February 2022. The data were collected using pretested structured questionnaires and random
blood glucose measurements. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 21.0. An adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) was used to measure the strength of the association, and
a P-value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: The overall magnitude of hypoglycemia in the neonates was 27.8% (95% CI: 23.1, 32.6). Very low birth
weight (AOR= 3.32; 95% CI: 1.01, 10.83), macrosomia (AOR= 8.16; 95% CI: 2.52, 26.38), preterm birth (AOR=
2.52; 95% CI: 2.01, 8.38), birth at 32-34 weeks (AOR= 1.98; 95% CI: 1.73, 6.57), late preterm birth (AOR= 2.58;
95% CI: 1.16, 5.56), hypothermia (AOR= 2.90; 95% CI: 1.44, 5.36), perinatal asphyxia (AOR= 5.30; 95% CI: 5.23,
9.64), pregnancy-induced hypertension (AOR= 2.18; 95% CI: 1.15, 4.21), and infant of diabetic mothers (AOR= 4.30;
95% CI: 1.32, 14.03) were significant predictors of neonatal hypoglycemia.
Conclusion: One in four neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit had hypoglycemia. Hence, early detection and treatment of hypothermia, perinatal asphyxia, and maternal pregnancy-induced hypertension and diabetes, as
well as monitoring blood glucose in high-risk neonates, are crucial to minimizing the burden of neonatal hypoglycemia.
Keywords: Hypoglycemia; Neonates; newborn; Intensive Care Unit; Ethiopia