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Background: Hypoglycaemia is one of the recognized medical emergencies in a neonatal unit. The diagnosis of neonatal hypoglycaemia requires a high index of suspicion due to the fact that it presentation is protean. Early diagnosis and treatment could prevent long term complications, and death. The aim of the study was to determine the prevalence of hypoglycaemia, the associated risk factors and the clinical outcome among neonates admitted into the neonatal unit of Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital (DASH), Lafia.

Materials and Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted between 1st of January 2018 and 30th of June 2018. Neonates admitted into the unit with various medical conditions had their random blood sugar (RBS) done at presentation using rapid glucose test strip mounted on ACCU-CHEK (Active) glucometer device. Neonatal clinical parameters, maternal obstetrics parameters and maternal socio-demographics features were recorded based on a predesigned proforma. Results: A total of 220 neonates were studied out of which 67 neonates had hypoglycaemia (< 2.6 mmol/l), giving a prevalence of 30.5%. Hypoglycaemia was significantly associated with macrosomic neonates and neonates who were not on oral feeds at presentation (p< 0.05). Conclusion: The prevalence of hypoglycaemia among sick neonates was found to be high with macrosomic neonates and neonates who were not on oral feeds at presentation been particularly at risk. Routine screening of sick neonates for hypoglycaemia should be re-emphasized.