Comparing the frequency of neonatal hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia in macrosomic and non-macrosomic infants of diabetic mothers

  Neonatal macrosomia, hypoglycemia, and hypocalcemia are among the complications associated with gestational diabetes. The aim of this study was to compare the frequency of neonatal hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia in macrosomic and non macrosomic infants of diabetic mothers. This was a descriptive analytic study performed on 90 infants born to diabetic mothers in Javaheri hospital during 2005 - 2009. Blood glucose level was determined for all infants during the first 3 hour, between 3-24 hour, and 24 hours after birth. Blood calcium concentration was also measured within the first 3 hour and 24 hours after birth. Data were analyzed by chi square and Fisher exact tests. Of 90 infants, 33.3% were macrosomic. Hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia were more common in macrosomic infants of diabetic mothers compared to non macrosomic neonates.