Multicenter evaluation of the Glucometer Elite XL meter, an instrument specifically designed for use with neonates.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical performance of the Glucometer Elite XL Diabetes Care System in neonatal settings using a multicenter study


METHODS
A total of 388 blood specimens from 333 neonates were included in the study. A capillary or arterial sample was analyzed for determination of glucose with the Glucometer Elite XL system by an attending trained nurse. Through the same sampling site, a specimen was collected and sent to the laboratory for measurement of plasma glucose, bilirubin, and hematocrit.


RESULTS
The regression analysis between the results of the Glucometer Elite XL system and comparative methods resulted in the following: Glucometer Elite XL meter = 1.01 x laboratory method + 0.02 mmol/l (n = 388). For the 1.1-4.0 mmol/l plasma glucose range, the regression was Glucometer Elite XL meter = 1.07 x laboratory method + 0.12 mmol/l (n = 150). A difference plot indicated a mean bias of 0.04 mmol/l (95% CI -0.01 to 0.10). No relationship was found between meter glucose biases and hematocrit levels (r = 0.10, P = 0.14). Although a statistically significant correlation existed between bilirubin levels and the glucose meter biases (r = 0.14, P = 0.005), the predicted mean biases were of little clinical significance.


CONCLUSIONS
The Glucometer Elite XL system showed a good performance when used in neonatal settings.
Girouard
J
J
Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Québec, Hospital St. François d'Assise, Laval University, Québec City, Canada.
Forest
J C
JC
Massé
J
J
Leroux
M
M
Bradburn
N C
NC
Noblet
T C
TC
Joynes
J O
JO
Baum
J
J
D001663:Bilirubin / Q000097:blood; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D006400:Hematocrit; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn / Q000097:blood*; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012044:Regression Analysis
D001786:Blood Glucose; D001663:Bilirubin