Low neonatal blood glucose levels in cesarean-delivered term newborns at Khartoum Hospital, Sudan.

BACKGROUND

Glucose is the main source of energy for organ function in neonates. There are few published recent data on neonatal glucose levels during cesarean delivery.

METHODS

A case (cesarean delivery) -control (vaginal delivery) study was conducted at Khartoum Hospital Sudan to compare blood glucose levels of term newborns born after elective cesarean delivery with those born vaginally.

RESULTS

Cord blood glucose levels at delivery were significantly lower in women who had a cesarean delivery compared with those who delivered vaginally (99.8 ± 20.6 vs. 106.8 ± 11.1 mg/dl, P=0.026), but there was no significant difference (97.8 ± 16.7 vs. 102.1 ± 9.6, P=0.110) in newborn glucose levels at 2 hours after delivery between the groups. In linear regression, cesarean delivery (-6.475 mg/dl, P=0.013) and maternal blood glucose levels at the time of delivery (+0.619 mg, P<0.001) were significantly associated with mean cord glucose levels.

CONCLUSION

This study shows that cord blood glucose levels are significantly lower in cesarean-delivered neonates than vaginally-delivered neonates. In addition, cord blood glucose levels are significantly associated with cesarean delivery and maternal blood glucose levels at delivery.

VIRTUAL SLIDES

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/2011479878124993.