Prevalence and Associated factors of Neonatal Hypoglycemia among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Northwest Amhar

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Neonatal hypoglycemia is a metabolic problem characterized by a decrease in blood glucose. It is the leading cause of neonatal mortality and has multi-associated factors for neonatal hypoglycemia. However, there is a limited study on the prevalence and factors associated with neonatal hypoglycemia in the study area. Objective: This study aimed to assess the prevalence and associated factors of neonatal hypoglycemia among neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Northwest Amhara Region Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia, 2022. Method: An institutional-based cross-sectional study was carried out among 497 neonates admitted to neonatal intensive care units in Northwest Amhara Region Comprehensive Specialized Hospitals from October 3, 2022–November 3, 2022. A systematic random sampling technique was employed to select study participants. The data were collected through maternal interviews using structured questionnaires and neonatal chart reviews using checklists. Finally, the data was entered into Epi-Data version 4.6.0.6 and analyzed by STATA version 14.0 Software. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize variables. Both the bi-variable and multi-variable logistic regression models were used for analysis. AOR and 95% CI were used to measure association and strength, with statistical significance assessed at a p-value <0.05 Results: The prevalence of neonatal hypoglycemia in the study area was 27.2% with 95%CI (23.4 - 31.4%).In this study variables such as maternal age 20-35 years [(AOR:0.35,( 95%CI: 0.167-0.73)], preterm birth [(AOR=2.60, 95%CI: 1.07 - 6.36)], low birth weight [(AOR:3.07, 95%CI:1.26-7.46)] and hypothermia [(AOR:2.58, 95%CI: 1.27 - 5.23)], were factors associated with neonatal hypoglycemia Conclusions and recommendations: The prevalence of neonatal hypoglycemia in Northwest Amhara Region Comprehensive Specialized Hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit is relatively high. Preterm, low birth weight and hypothermia were significant factors for neonatal hypoglycemia. It is better for neonatal care providers in the neonatal intensive care units to prioritize newborns that are premature or have a low birth weight and to follow the warm chain protocol. Keywords: Hypoglycemia, NICU, Prevalence