Relationship between the extent of growth restriction and the severity of hypoglycemia in newborns with intrauterine growth restriction

Abstract Background: Neonatal hypoglycemia is a preventable cause of brain injury. However, there is a limited understanding of the relationship between the degree of intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and severity of hypoglycemia. Aims and Objectives: This study aims to determine the incidence and clinical profile of hypoglycemia in IUGR newborns and explore any statistical correlation between the degree of growth restriction and the severity of hypoglycemic episodes. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on 150 IUGR infants (34–41 weeks gestation) who were selectively screened and monitored for blood glucose levels. The lowest recorded glucose value for each of the 24 hypoglycemic neonates was plotted against their respective birthweight-for-gestational age standard deviation (BW-for-GA SD) scores to create a scatter plot. Their clinical profiles were also documented. Results: The incidence of hypoglycemia was 17.64% in late-preterm IUGRs and 15.85% in term IUGRs, with an overall incidence of 16% (24 out of 150). A birthweight below the 3rd percentile emerged as a significant risk factor for hypoglycemia, whereas gender, gestational age, low birth weight, maternal parity, and mode of delivery showed no significant association. All hypoglycemic episodes occurred within the first 12 h of life, with 62.5% occurring within the first 2 h. Symptoms were observed in 25% of cases, with jitteriness being the most common (83.33%). Most hypoglycemic episodes (92%) resolved with enteral feeding alone. Pearson’s correlation coefficient between BW-for-GA SD score and blood glucose nadir was 0.36 ( P = 0.08; 95% CI: −0.34 to 5.57). Conclusion: There is no statistically significant correlation between the degree of growth restriction and the severity of hypoglycemia in IUGR newborns.