Determining the best method for first-line assessment of neonatal blood glucose levels.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate and compare the accuracy and performance of two electrochemical glucose meters. To determine the user acceptability of these glucose meters and the ABL 620 Blood Gas Analyser (Radiometer, Copenhagen, Denmark) with an electrochemical glucose oxidase electrode for use in a Level 2 special care baby unit.


METHODS
A total of 108 blood samples were collected from 47 babies at risk for hypoglycaemia. The blood glucose level was measured with two glucose meters, the Advantage Glucose Meter (Roche Diagnostics, Castle Hill, Australia) and the Precision-G Blood Glucose Testing System (Medisense, Melbourne, Australia), and the true blood glucose (TBG) measured with the ABL 620 blood gas analyser. Results from the glucose meters were compared with the TBG (as a percentage of the TBG).


RESULTS
The mean (SD) percentage difference between the Advantage Glucose Meter and TBG was 4.5% (12. 5), and Precision-G Glucose Meter and TBG was 15.4% (12.4). The sample haematocrit did not significantly influence the glucose meter/TBG differences. There was an overall preference by the nursing staff for the Advantage Glucose Meter.


CONCLUSIONS
The Advantage Glucose Meter was significantly more accurate than the Precision-G with similar precision. It was the preferred method of screening for neonatal hypoglycaemia.
Level 2 Special Care Baby Unit, Nambour General Hospital, Nambour, Queensland, Australia.
C L
CL
Thomas
L
L
Critchley
M W
MW
Davies
D001784:Blood Gas Analysis; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000032:analysis*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D001786:Blood Glucose