Diabetes in pregnancy: are we providing the best care ... - HQIP

2.1 hours in babies remaining with their mothers. The wide range in age of the baby at fi rst blood glucose
test shows that some tests were carried out almost immediately after birth. Median fi rst blood glucose
values were identical in both groups. Panels were asked if there were abnormal clinical signs attributable
to hypoglycaemia at the time of the fi rst blood glucose measurement: two babies were described as jittery
with no other symptoms.
Table 12.7
Timing and result of fi rst blood glucose measurement in term babies of women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Time of fi rst blood glucose
measurement (hours)
(median [IQR] (range)
First blood glucose value
(mmol/L) (median [IQR]
(range)
Babies remaining with mother
(N=70)
2.1 [0.97-433]
(0.05 - 9.63)
2.8 [2.3-3.7]
(0.8 - 9.0)
Babies admitted to NNU
(N=42)
N=58 1.15 [0.38-1.97]
(0 - 7.6)
N=68 2.5 [2.0-3.3]
(0.8 - 5.7)
p-value
n=34 0.08
n=39 0.42
12.6.1.2 Methods of blood glucose testing
Reagent strip testing was the main method documented. In many cases, there was no documentation of
the method used (table 12.8). It was also noted that the abbreviation “BM” was often used inappropriately
to denote blood glucose.
Table 12.8
Method used for fi rst blood glucose measurement in babies of women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes
Method used
Babies in neonatal enquiry
(N=112)
HaemoCue 10
Reagent strip 53
Dextrostix 0
“BM” 53
Glucose electrode method 6
Yellow springs 0
Blood gas analyser 4
Other glucose electrode method 2
Other 1
Not documented 42
Sixty eight percent of blood glucose measurement tests were done pre-feed and 26% post-feed (table
12.9). These proportions were similar for babies admitted to a neonatal unit and babies remaining
with their mothers.
89