All issues > Volume 27(4); 1984

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1984;27(4):319-325. Published online April 30, 1984.

Blood Glucose Values in Healthy Premature Infants.

Heung Kyu Kim, Chul Seung Son, Eun Hee Cho

¹Department of Pediatrics, Kwangju Christian Hospital, Kwangju, Korea

Abstract

Serial blood glucose values were measured over the first twenty-four hours of life on 202 healthy permature infants. Whose weights were less than 2,300 grams. The 76 infants who were evaluated over a period of four weeks divided into two groups; 22 premature infants weighing less than 1,700 grams at birth, and 54 premature infants weighing over 1,700 grams. Eight determinations were made on the 76 infants, at birth, 24-48-72 hours; and first, second, third, and fourth week of life. Blood glucose values were also determined on 31 healthy fullterm infants during the first 72 hours. Blood glucose values were measured by the Glucose-oxidase method, and the blood samples were taken by heel puncture. 1)It was noted that the blood glucose values, body weight and gestational age of premature infants weighing less than 1,700 gm were significantly lower than those of premature infants weighing over 1,700 gm, and of full-term infants. 2)There was no significant difference in blood glucose values between 26 premature infants weighing less than 1,700 gm, and 30 premature infants over 1,700 gm. during the first hour of life. 3)It was noted that the cord-blood values of thirteen premature infants were significantly lower than that of fourteen full-term infants. 4)The lower blood-glucose values of premature infants weighing less than 1,700 grams at 24 hours were significantly increased at 48 hours and thereafter increased continuously reaching a high-level of 80 mg% at the end of two weeks. 5)Increase of blood-glucose values in premature infants weighing over 1,700 grams at birth was hastened about one week compared with that of the infants less than 1,700 gms. 6)At the end of the first week of life, the blood-glucose values of 76 premature infantsreached the adult range; while the adult range was reached in 72 hours by 31 full-term infants.

Keywords :Blood glucose; Premature infants