Introduction and objective:

neonatal hypoglycemia persistently offers multiple diagnostic controversies. This study aims to present the current situation regarding neonatal hypoglycaemia detection, and to gain insight into the most widely used portable glucometers in neonatal units today.

Methods:

an online questionnaire was prepared and sent to the members of the Spanish Society of Neonatology; a total of 75 hospitals participated.

Results:

portable glucometers continue to be widely used in the neonatal population. More than 75 % of units perform neonatal hypoglycemia screening in specific clinical circumstances, and 13 % of units continue to perform protocolized screening on all newborns at neonatal units. The higher the level of care, the higher the percentage of hypoglycaemia detection by other tests (such as blood gas analysis): chi2, p = 0.019. Multiple models of portable glucometers are currently used, with differences according to level of care (chi2, p = 0.01). Nova Biomedical, Abbott, and Roche Diagnostics models are most commonly used.

Conclusions:

differences in the performance of neonatal hypoglycaemia screening are observed, so standardised procedures and limiting the neonatal population at risk are important to reduce variability in clinical practice, and to improve the quality of neonatal care.

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