Outcome of neonatal hypoglycaemia

Abstract

# Complete data are needed {#article-title-2} EDITOR—Ten years ago Lucas et al reported a retrospective multicentre study determining whether asymptomatic neonatal hypoglycaemia results in neurological damage.1 They found that moderate hypoglycaemia (<2.6mmol/l) may have serious neurodevelopmental consequences if present on five or more different days during the first two months of life. Subsequently, in October 1989,a Ciba Foundation discussion meeting was held in order to clarify the data and conclusions presented by Lucas et al. 12Sinclair and Steere, using specific criteria, recognised that all the published follow up studies were too flawed and inadequate to provide a definite conclusion. Lucas et al had assembled a large inception cohort in their study, with objective outcome criteria and with assessments done by people who were blind to category of exposure. Follow up was almost complete. However, they had not specified a criterion for hypoglycaemia, and sampling bias was …