A Cross-Sectional Study of Blood Glucose Levels in Neonatal Sepsis and its Outcome in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Davangere

Abstract

Sepsis is an important cause of morbidity and mortality among neonates. Neonatal sepsis can alter the glucose level, and both hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia may occur. Hence the present study aimed to study the clinical profile of patients with neonatal sepsis and to correlate the blood sugar levels with different outcomes in neonatal sepsis patients. A cross-sectional study was conducted at Bapuji Child Health Institute and Research Institute attached to J.J.M. Medical College, Davangere. A total of 90 neonates under the age of 28 days old admitted to NICU with probable and culture-proven neonatal sepsis were included in the study. Glucose levels, complete blood count, CRP levels, septic screening, lumbar puncture, neurosonogram, urine culture, blood culture and sensitivity were analysed. Results revealed that GRBS scores were < 40 for 24 subjects, 41 to 100 for 39 subjects, 101 to 200 for 22 subjects and > 200 for 5 subjects. There were 57(63.3%) males and 33(36.7%) females in the clinically diagnosed cases of septicemia. Clinical presentation in sepsis showed that 82(91.1%) subjects were not feeding well, 19(21.1%) had convulsions, 51(56.7%) had fast breathing, 39(43.3%) had Severe chest indrawing, 25(27.8%) had a temperature, 43(47.8%) had a fever and 88(97.8%) had Decreased activity of admission. In Conclusion, alteration of glycaemic status occurred in septic newborns, and mortality was higher among septic newborns with altered glycaemic status. Keywords: Neonatal sepsis, GRBS, Hypoglycaemia, Hyperglycaemia, Mortality