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Editor—Deshpande et al 1 have produced some interesting data on blood glucose measurement in a neonatal intensive care unit setting and have recommended one measurement technique over others. The descriptions of the methodological differences and limitations of each technique are most helpful.
The data presented show comparisons between blood glucose measurements in the range 3–10 mmol/l. Although they have recommended one particular method, it must be remembered that blood glucose tests in the newborn are largely performed to detect hypoglycaemia. The authors have not addressed this issue well. The graphs presented show few comparisons in the hypoglycaemic range, and those that do, are wildly discordant. Rather than encouraging a rush to reinvest in new technology it would be prudent to demonstrate that these techniques can indeed reliably identify babies who are hypoglycaemic. The bottom line must be if a blood glucose value on a bedside test is less than 2.6 mmol/l or whatever is chosen, what is the likelihood of this being accurate and what is the prediction range of the test?
… is something of a vexed issue Blood glucose concentrations are monitored …