WIP 24 - Universal Blood Glucose Screening in Healthy Newborns

Publication Number: WIP 24.7691

Kanjanamala Agoramurthi, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR, United States; Indirapriya Avulakunta, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, United States; Jared C. Beavers, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR, United States; Vikramaditya Dumpa, Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR, United States

Background: The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends blood glucose screening for newborns with certain risk factors for hypoglycemia. Recent studies suggest additional risk factors, such as cesarean delivery and maternal obesity, influencing neonatal glycemic status. At UAMS in Little Rock, AR, routine serum glucose screening is done for all newborns within two hours of life after the first feed. This offers an opportunity to examine the incidence of hypoglycemia in healthy newborns with and without specific risk factors.

Objective: The primary objective is to determine the incidence and severity of hypoglycemia in newborns with and without risk factors. A secondary goal is to examine the link between maternal obesity and neonatal hypoglycemia in late preterm and term infants.

Design/Methods: This is a retrospective review of neonates born at ≥35 weeks gestation at UAMS from 01/2019 to 05/2024. Hypoglycemia risk factors include late-preterm infants (35-36 weeks gestation), infants of diabetic mothers, small for gestational age (birth weight ≤10th percentile), and large for gestational age (birth weight ≥90th percentile). Maternal body mass index (BMI), either pre-pregnancy or at the first prenatal visit, will be analyzed for its association with neonatal hypoglycemia.

A total of 14,749 eligible neonates were identified using the query function on the electronic medical record (EMR). Demographic characteristics, blood glucose values, and timing will be extracted from the EMR for analysis. Using descriptive statistics, the incidence of hypoglycemia (BG < 45 mg/dL) among newborns with and without risk factors will be determined. A logistic regression model will be used to assess the association between maternal obesity (BMI ≥30) and neonatal hypoglycemia. This large study has the potential to help refine the existing screening protocols and provide an opportunity for timely intervention of hypoglycemia.

This study was approved and classified as exempt by the UAMS IRB (IRB#297404). The data extraction is in progress and we anticipate completion of the analysis by 02/2025.