Effectiveness of oral dextrose gel for neonates at risk of hypoglycemia: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and GRADE assessment of randomized controlled trials

Neonatal hypoglycemia is the most common metabolic disorder in newborns and can lead to neurological damage if untreated. While intravenous dextrose is the standard treatment, it is invasive. Oral 40% dextrose gel (0.5 ml/kg) offers a non-invasive alternative. A systematic review of five randomized controlled trials (RCTs), involving 2,742 neonates (1,326 received dextrose gel; 1,416 received placebo), assessed its effectiveness in reducing NICU admissions in neonates with blood glucose < 2.6 mmol/L. Although the overall meta-analysis showed a non-significant reduction in NICU admissions (risk ratio 0.68; 95% CI: 0.33–1.38; p = 0.28), a sensitivity analysis excluding one outlier study improved consistency (I² = 19%) and revealed a statistically significant reduction (risk ratio 0.52; 95% CI: 0.31–0.90; p = 0.02). These findings suggest that oral dextrose gel may reduce NICU admissions in neonates with hypoglycemia, but further large-scale studies are required to confirm its clinical effectiveness.