What are the barriers preventing the screening and management of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low-resource settings, and how can they be overcome?
Abstract Over 25 years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged the importance of effective prevention, detection and treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia, and declared it to be a global priority. Neonatal hypoglycaemia is common, linked to poor neurosensory outcomes and, if untreated, c...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMC
2023-06-01
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| Series: | Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40748-023-00162-4 |
| _version_ | 1797811346129027072 |
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| author | Lauren M Irvine Deborah L Harris |
| author_facet | Lauren M Irvine Deborah L Harris |
| author_sort | Lauren M Irvine |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Over 25 years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged the importance of effective prevention, detection and treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia, and declared it to be a global priority. Neonatal hypoglycaemia is common, linked to poor neurosensory outcomes and, if untreated, can cause seizures and death. Neonatal mortality in low and lower-middle income countries constitutes an estimated 89% of overall neonatal deaths. Factors contributing to high mortality rates include malnutrition, infectious diseases, poor maternal wellbeing and resource constraints on both equipment and staff, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. The incidence of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low and lower-middle income countries remains unclear, as data are not collected. Data from high-resource settings shows that half of all at-risk babies will develop hypoglycaemia, using accepted clinical thresholds for treatment. Most at-risk babies are screened and treated, with treatment aiming to increase blood glucose concentration and, therefore, available cerebral fuel. The introduction of buccal dextrose gel as a first-line treatment for neonatal hypoglycaemia has changed the care of millions of babies and families in high-resource settings. Dextrose gel has now also been shown to prevent neonatal hypoglycaemia. In low and lower-middle income countries, there are considerable barriers to resources which prevent access to reliable blood glucose screening, diagnosis, and treatment, leading to inequitable health outcomes when compared with developed countries. Babies born in low-resource settings do not have access to basic health care and are more likely to suffer from unrecognised neonatal hypoglycaemia, which contributes to the burden of neurosensory delay and death. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:22:21Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-7bfc2c0844a744fa8ac8a99564deea64 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2054-958X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T07:22:21Z |
| publishDate | 2023-06-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology |
| spelling | doaj.art-7bfc2c0844a744fa8ac8a99564deea642023-06-04T11:36:26ZengBMCMaternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology2054-958X2023-06-01911810.1186/s40748-023-00162-4What are the barriers preventing the screening and management of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low-resource settings, and how can they be overcome?Lauren M Irvine0Deborah L Harris1School of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice, Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga WakaSchool of Nursing, Midwifery, and Health Practice, Faculty of Health, Victoria University of Wellington – Te Herenga WakaAbstract Over 25 years ago, the World Health Organization (WHO) acknowledged the importance of effective prevention, detection and treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia, and declared it to be a global priority. Neonatal hypoglycaemia is common, linked to poor neurosensory outcomes and, if untreated, can cause seizures and death. Neonatal mortality in low and lower-middle income countries constitutes an estimated 89% of overall neonatal deaths. Factors contributing to high mortality rates include malnutrition, infectious diseases, poor maternal wellbeing and resource constraints on both equipment and staff, leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment. The incidence of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low and lower-middle income countries remains unclear, as data are not collected. Data from high-resource settings shows that half of all at-risk babies will develop hypoglycaemia, using accepted clinical thresholds for treatment. Most at-risk babies are screened and treated, with treatment aiming to increase blood glucose concentration and, therefore, available cerebral fuel. The introduction of buccal dextrose gel as a first-line treatment for neonatal hypoglycaemia has changed the care of millions of babies and families in high-resource settings. Dextrose gel has now also been shown to prevent neonatal hypoglycaemia. In low and lower-middle income countries, there are considerable barriers to resources which prevent access to reliable blood glucose screening, diagnosis, and treatment, leading to inequitable health outcomes when compared with developed countries. Babies born in low-resource settings do not have access to basic health care and are more likely to suffer from unrecognised neonatal hypoglycaemia, which contributes to the burden of neurosensory delay and death.https://doi.org/10.1186/s40748-023-00162-4Health equityNewbornBlood glucose monitoringDextrose gelDeveloping nationsNeonatal care |
| spellingShingle | Lauren M Irvine Deborah L Harris What are the barriers preventing the screening and management of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low-resource settings, and how can they be overcome? Maternal Health, Neonatology and Perinatology Health equity Newborn Blood glucose monitoring Dextrose gel Developing nations Neonatal care |
| title | What are the barriers preventing the screening and management of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low-resource settings, and how can they be overcome? |
| title_full | What are the barriers preventing the screening and management of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low-resource settings, and how can they be overcome? |
| title_fullStr | What are the barriers preventing the screening and management of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low-resource settings, and how can they be overcome? |
| title_full_unstemmed | What are the barriers preventing the screening and management of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low-resource settings, and how can they be overcome? |
| title_short | What are the barriers preventing the screening and management of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low-resource settings, and how can they be overcome? |
| title_sort | what are the barriers preventing the screening and management of neonatal hypoglycaemia in low resource settings and how can they be overcome |
| topic | Health equity Newborn Blood glucose monitoring Dextrose gel Developing nations Neonatal care |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s40748-023-00162-4 |
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