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Am J Perinatol 2021; 38(09): 930-934
DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1701193
Original Article

Neonatal Polycythemia and Hypoglycemia in Newborns: Are They Related?

Adi Hopfeld-Fogel‡   *
1   Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
,
Yair Kasirer   *
1   Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
2   Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
,
Francis B. Mimouni
2   Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
3   Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
,
Cathy Hammerman
1   Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
2   Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
,
Alona Bin-Nun
1   Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
2   Department of Neonatology, Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
› Author Affiliations Funding None.
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Abstract

Objective This study aimed to test whether neonatal hypoglycemia (NH) is more common in infants with neonatal polycythemia (NP).

Study Design This is a retrospective study based on universal screening of NH and targeted screening for NP. Polycythemia was defined as venous hematocrit ≥ 65%. NH was defined as whole blood glucose (BG) concentration < 48 mg/dL (measured using a “point-of-care” analyzer [Accu-Chek]).

Results The study population consisted of 119 consecutive term polycythemic infants and 117 controls. There were no significant differences between the two groups in perinatal characteristics, minimal BG concentration, and rate of hypoglycemia. In a stepwise backward multiple regression where NH was the dependent variable, only maternal gestational diabetes mellitus (p = 0.032) and toxemia (p = 0.001) remained significant, whereas NP was insignificant.

Conclusion NH is not more common in NP infants than in non-NP infants. We suggest that the occurrence of NH in infants with NP might be related to the common risk factors of the two morbidities.

Keywords

neonatal polycythemia - hypoglycemia - hematocrit

Authors' Contributions

Y.K., A.B.-N., and F.B.M. conceptualized and designed the study, coordinated and supervised data collection, performed the analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. A.H.-F. collected data, performed the analyses, drafted the initial manuscript, and reviewed and revised the manuscript. C.H. conceptualized and designed the study, and critically reviewed the manuscript for important intellectual content. All authors approved the final manuscript as submitted and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.


Note

Adi Hopfeld-Fogel's participation in this study was performed in fulfillment of research requirements toward the MD degree.


* Contributed equally as co-first authors.




Publication History

Received: 03 November 2019

Accepted: 12 December 2019

Article published online:
06 February 2020

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