Does the 3C (Counselling, Checking and Certification) Initiative Prevent Hypoglycemia Among At-Risk Stable Late Preterm and Term Neonates? – A Randomized Controlled Trial

To evaluate whether the 3C (Counselling, Checking, Certification) initiative helps in preventing hypoglycemia among at-risk neonates compared to standard care.

This randomised controlled trial included 222 mother-newborn dyads with risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia—Small for gestational age (SGA) babies, infants of diabetic mothers (IDM), large for gestational age (LGA) babies and late preterm infants (LPI). They were randomized to two groups. Group A received standard care while mothers in group B were administered 3C intervention. Early initiation of breastfeeding, incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia within 24 h, and exclusive breastfeeding rate at 6 mo were evaluated.

Early initiation of breastfeeding was higher in the 3C group compared to standard care group (94.6% vs. 55.9% p <0.001). The incidence of hypoglycemia within 24 h was lower in the intervention group compared to standard care (3.6% vs. 15.3%, p <0.05). However, there was no significant difference in exclusive breastfeeding rates at 6 mo between the two groups (61% and 66% in group A and B respectively).

The 3C intervention decreases the incidence of hypoglycemia among at-risk neonates. Early initiation of breast-feeding is higher among mothers who receive the 3C intervention.