Dextrose Infusion by Burettes Versus Dextrose Boluses in Prevention of Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Dextrose Boluses Versus Dextrose Infusions by Burettes in Prevention of Hypoglycemia Among Preterms Admitted at Mulago Hospital: An Open Label Randomized Clinical Trial

NULL HYPOTHESIS • There is no difference in the incidence of hypoglycemia among preterms receiving either two hourly 10% dextrose boluses or 10% dextrose infusion by burettes during the 72 hours of admission in Special Care Unit- Mulago Hospital.

ALTERNATE HYPOTHESIS

• Use of two hourly 10% dextrose boluses increases the incidence of hypoglycemia by 30% compared to 10% dextrose infusion by burettes among preterms admitted to Special Care Unit in the first 72 hours of admission.

Inclusion Criteria:

- SELECTION CRITERIA Inclusion criteria

• Preterms whose care givers/ mothers gave informed consent
• Preterms whose age was < 24 hours of life
• Preterms with birth weight ≥1kg
• Preterms with random blood sugar ≥ 2.6 mmol/l at admission into SCU.

Exclusion Criteria

• Absence of a biological mother or abandoned baby
• Presence of gross congenital abnormalities.
• Very sick (Apgar score ≤ 5 at 5 minutes