Hyperglycemia increases the risk of death in extremely preterm baboons.

BACKGROUND

Transient neonatal hyperglycemia (HG) has been reported in up to 80% of extremely preterm human infants. We hypothesize that severe HG is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in preterm baboons.

METHODS

Sixty-six baboons born at 67% of gestation were studied. HG was defined as serum glucose level ≥150 mg/dl during the first week of life. Animals were stratified into two groups: severe HG (≥8 events) and nonsevere HG (<8 events).

RESULTS

HG developed in 65 of the 66 (98%) baboons that were included. A total of 3,386 glucose measurements were obtained. The mean serum glucose level was 159 ± 69 mg/dl for the severe HG group and 130 ± 48 mg/dl for the nonsevere HG group during the first week of life. No differences were found in gender, birth weight, sepsis, patent ductus arteriosus, or oxygenation/ventilation indexes between groups. Severe HG was associated with early death even after controlling for sepsis, postnatal steroid exposure, and catecholamine utilization.

CONCLUSION

HG is common in preterm baboons and is not associated with short-term morbidity. Severe HG occurring in the first week of life is associated with early death in preterm baboons.