HYPOGLYCEMIA IN SICK PRETERM INFANTS AND THE THERAPEUTIC EFFECT OF 12.5% DEXTROSE IN WATER COMPARED WITH 10% DEXTROSE IN WATER

Neonatal hypoglycemia is cominon and its prompt management is iinportant to reduce ncurological sequelae. To determine the effect of two different glucose concentrations of intravenous (IV) fluid therapy in the incidence of hypoglycemia in sick premature infants, 200 pretenn infants \veighing 1500-2500 g were selected and randomly assigned into two groups. Group 1 received 1O~!o dextrose in water (DW) and for group 2 we used 12.50/0 OW with recommended fluid volunle according to the infant s condition. First blood glucose sample was obtained during 2-3 hours of life before starting IV therapy and the two others were measured between 4-24 hours of life after starting IV fluid therapy. Plasma glucose 36 mg/dl during 2-3 hours of life and level below 45 mg/dl behveen 4-24 hours of life were considered as hypoglycemia. Birth weight, gestational age and type of diseases in two groups were matched. Although there was no difference between volume of fluid, statistical diffcrences \\ cre found to be significant between amounts of calories (P = 0.000) and dextrose (P = 0.000) received in two groups. We detected 15 and 30 cases of hypoglycemia in group 1 and 2, respectively. After starting IV fluid therapy, the incidence of hypoglycemia decreased especially in group 2 and cOlnparison of cases with two consecutive 10\\7 piasina glucose in two groups showed significant difference (P= 0.024, relative risk= 2.67). We recomnlend 12.5% OW when initiation of pcriphera1 I\l therapy is indicated in sick pretenn infants weighing 1500-2500 g, especially when restriction of fluid is n1andated.