SynthesisNeonatology2025
Intravenous Dextrose for the Treatment of Neonatal Hypoglycaemia: A Systematic Review.
Synthesis in Neonatology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 3 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
3 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Efficacy of Oral Dextrose Gel for Neonatal Hypoglycaemia: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials With 4368 Patients.Endocrinology, diabetes & metabolism · 2026Pooled it
- Sweeter recovery, less intravenous fluids: a NICU quality improvement initiative for managing neonatal hypoglycemia.Journal of perinatology : official journal of the California Perinatal Association · 2026Article
- Burden of "Pokes" in Newborns With Hypoglycemia Who Require IV Dextrose.Hospital pediatrics · 2025Article
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
5 authors.
Funding
Abstract
introductionHypoglycaemic neonates are usually admitted to neonatal intensive care for intravenous (IV) dextrose infusion if increased feeding and dextrose gel fail to restore normoglycaemia. However, the effectiveness of this intervention is uncertain. This review aimed to assess the evidence for the risks and benefits of IV dextrose for treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia.
methodsFour databases and three clinical trial registries were searched from inception to October 5, 2023. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised studies of interventions, cohort studies, and before and after studies were considered for inclusion without language or publication date restrictions. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 tool or Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Meta-analysis was planned but not carried out due to insufficient data.
resultsAcross 6 studies (two RCTs and four cohort), 711 participants were included. Evidence from one cohort study suggests IV dextrose treatment may not be associated with neurodevelopmental impairment at ≥18 months of age (no effect numbers, p > 0.2; very low certainty evidence; 60 infants). Evidence from one RCT suggests IV dextrose treatment may reduce the likelihood of repeated hypoglycaemia (risk ratio [RR]: 0.67 [95% CI: 0.20, 2.18], p = 0.5; low certainty evidence; 80 infants) compared to treatment with oral sucrose bolus. However, the risk of a hyperglycaemic episode may be increased (RR: 2.33 [95% CI: 0.65, 8.39], p = 0.19; 80 infants).
conclusionMore evidence is needed to clarify the benefits and risks of IV dextrose for treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia.
introductionHypoglycaemic neonates are usually admitted to neonatal intensive care for intravenous (IV) dextrose infusion if increased feeding and dextrose gel fail to restore normoglycaemia. However, the effectiveness of this intervention is uncertain. This review aimed to assess the evidence for the risks and benefits of IV dextrose for treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia.
methodsFour databases and three clinical trial registries were searched from inception to October 5, 2023. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), non-randomised studies of interventions, cohort studies, and before and after studies were considered for inclusion without language or publication date restrictions. Risk of bias was assessed using Cochrane's Risk of Bias 2 tool or Risk of Bias in Non-Randomized Studies of Interventions tool. Certainty of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach. Meta-analysis was planned but not carried out due to insufficient data.
resultsAcross 6 studies (two RCTs and four cohort), 711 participants were included. Evidence from one cohort study suggests IV dextrose treatment may not be associated with neurodevelopmental impairment at ≥18 months of age (no effect numbers, p > 0.2; very low certainty evidence; 60 infants). Evidence from one RCT suggests IV dextrose treatment may reduce the likelihood of repeated hypoglycaemia (risk ratio [RR]: 0.67 [95% CI: 0.20, 2.18], p = 0.5; low certainty evidence; 80 infants) compared to treatment with oral sucrose bolus. However, the risk of a hyperglycaemic episode may be increased (RR: 2.33 [95% CI: 0.65, 8.39], p = 0.19; 80 infants).
conclusionMore evidence is needed to clarify the benefits and risks of IV dextrose for treatment of neonatal hypoglycaemia.
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What OpenQuestion holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.