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Real-time CGM effective for identifying hypoglycemia in preterm infants
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Real-time continuous glucose monitoring and the traditional intermittent arterial-line glucose monitoring method were comparable for identifying hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia in preterm infants, but real-time CGM may be more effective in infants of mothers with diabetes, according to a study.
“Infants of diabetic mothers are at high risk of hypoglycemia in the first 24 hours of life,” the researchers wrote. “Typically, hypoglycemia occurs within the first few hours after birth, likely caused by persistent hyperinsulinemia in the newborn after the interruptions of the intrauterine glucose supply from the mother.”
Jia-Yuh Chen, MD, PhD, of the department of pediatrics at Chung Shan Medical University Hospital, and colleagues evaluated 30 preterm infants (15 boys; 36 weeks gestation) to determine the feasibility of using a real-time CGM system in the neonatal ICU for detecting the incidence of hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia compared with the traditional intermittent arterial-line glucose method. Participants were evaluated within 72 hours of birth.
No differences were observed between the CGM or arterial-line method for identifying hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia. CGM demonstrated high sensitivity (94.59%) and specificity (97.87%).
Participants were further divided into two groups based on their mothers’ diabetes status: mothers with (n = 15) and without diabetes (n = 15). During the 72-hour study period, the rates of hypoglycemia or hyperglycemia were higher in babies of mothers with diabetes than those without (73.33% vs. 40%).
“[Real-time continuous glucose monitoring system] is a less invasive method than traditional blood glucose measurement methods,” the researchers wrote. “It not only represents an efficient and effective method for identifying and tracking blood glucose abnormalities and infant responses to their associated treatments, but also can reduce the discomfort experienced in measurement processes by ensuring fewer blood test repeats and less handling to reduce the risk of infections and anemia.” – by Amber Cox
Disclosures: The authors report no relevant financial disclosures.
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