Comparative analysis of four methods for rapid glucose determination in neonates
R. H. Perelman, G. R. Gutcher, M. J. Engle and M. J. MacDonald
As an important aspect of newborn care, the rapid assessment of glucose
homeostasis is often accomplished by a glucose oxidase-peroxidase chromagen
test strip method, either alone or with a reflectance colorimeter. The
precision of these techniques has been established, but few studies have
determined accuracy in an intensive care setting. We performed the
following study. During the time of routine heelstick blood sampling, the
nurses collected 90 complete study sets for glucose analysis from 43
neonates. Dextrostix, Ames Meter, Chemstrip bG, and Stat Tek Meter
determinations were performed according to manufacturers' instructions.
Concurrent determination of blood glucose level by a glucose analyzer
(Beckman) served as a standard for comparison. There was no significant
difference in estimation of true blood glucose concentration among the
rapid methods tested. The marked variability of results suggests only
modest accuracy in estimating whole blood glucose concentration when
employed in the routine neonatal clinical setting. These data indicate that
the results from rapid blood glucose estimation techniques require
confirmation by conventional laboratory methods prior to therapeutic
intervention.
