Incidence of Persistent Neonatal Hypoglycemia and Associated Factors among Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Admissions in South Gondar Public Hospitals, Northcentral Ethiopia: a prospective cross sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Objective The aim of this study was to determine the incidence of persistent neonatal hypoglycemia and associated factors in south Gondar public hospitals, northcentral Ethiopia. Design and setting Prospective cross-sectional study for 400 neonates admitted in NICUs at public hospitals. Main results The incidence of persistent neonatal hypoglycemia (PHG) was found to be 94 ((23.5%); 95%CI (19.3%-28%)). Neonates with hypothermia (AOR=4.41; 95% CI=2.72-10.92), preterm birth (AOR=3.5; 95%CI=1.69-11.97), those with perinatal asphyxia (AOR=2.5; 95% CI=1.34-9.67), and neonates with pathological jaundice (AOR=2.3; 95% CI=1.21-10.34) were factors associated with persistent hypoglycemia. On the contrary, spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) was a protective factor (AOR=0.72; 95% CI=0.35-0.88). Conclusions The incidence of persistent neonatal hypoglycemia (PHG) was lower compared to previous studies while factors increasing the risk of PHG were Hypothermia, Pretermbirth, perinatal asphyxia (PNA), early onset of sepsis (EONS), and pathological jaundice. And, Spontaneous vaginal delivery (SVD) was a protective factor.