Prevalence of Hypoglycemia and its Associated Factors among Neonates Admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Hiwot-Fana Specialized University Hospital, Eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Neonatal hypoglycemia is one of the most common causes of metabolic disorder in the newborns that can cause preventable neurologic impairment and even death. Overall, incidence has been estimated to be 1 to 5per 1,000 life birth neonates, with higher incidence in those at high- risk. Despite the national burden of the disease, studies that assess the national magnitude and their associated factors are limited. As far as our knowledge, no previous study is present to determine the magnitude of neonatal hypoglycemia and their associated factors in the study area. Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of neonatal hypoglycemia and its associated factors among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care unit at Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia from 21st November 2021 to 20th February 2022. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was employed. Neonates whose age were less than 48 hours and their respective mothers who were admitted to HFSUH neonatal unit during the study period were included. Convenience sampling technique was used to include 316 study participants. Blood glucose was measured using glucometer with a test strip. Random blood glucose level < 47mg/dl was taken as a cut-off point to define hypoglycaemia. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire, entered into Epi-info version 7, transferred and analyzed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 21.0 software. Descriptive statistics including frequency and proportions, means were calculated. The odds ratio at 95% confidence interval was used to check for the strength of the association between dependent and independent variables. Statistically significant was declared at P-value < 0.05. Result: The overall neonatal hypoglycemia was detected in 27.8% (95%CI: 23.1-32.6%). Being birth weight, between 1000-1499 grams (AOR=3.32; 95%CI: 1.02, 10.84), birth weight of >=4000 grams (AOR= 8.16; 95%CI: 2.52, 26.39), gestational age between 34-37wks(AOR=2.58; 95%CI:1.16, 5.56), hypothermia (AOR=2.90; 95%CI:1.44, 5.80), perinatal birth asphyxia(AOR=5.30; 95%CI:5.23, 9.75), pregnancy induced hypertension (AOR=2.176; 95%CI:1.150, 4.117), and gestational diabetes mother (AOR=4.302; 95%CI: 1.320-14.018) were found to be independent predictors. Conclusion: High burden of NNH was observed in HFSUH compared o other previous studies. This burden is occurred by preventable and manageable risk factors including gestational age of the neonates, birth weight of the neonate, hypothermia, PNA, PIH and GDM. To minimize the risk occurrence of NNHs and its long term neurologic sequel focus should be given on creating cooperative and team working among NICU and Obestatric health workers team in order to both early detection and initiation of management for NNHs and its risk factors. Furthermore, health care providers should be well trained to prevent and reduce this burden, in addition to full-fill health care facility in NICU.