Effect of Tahneek on Hypoglycemia in Newborn Infants

Tahneek is an Arabic word which means putting something sweet such as dates, in the infant's mouth after the birth. It is a noble practice in Islam, with which the newborn is greeted upon entering into life, usually before milk feeds. It is done by rubbing a softened date on the palate of the new-born just after the birth. The tahneek also exercises the muscles of the mouth and helps with the circulation of blood in the mouth - this may help the baby to be able to suck and take mother's milk. Neonatal hypoglycemia is common in the first few days after birth. Up to 15 % but the incidence in babies with risk factors is much greater upto 50 % in infants of diabetic mothers, large and small babies and 66 % in preterm babies. Neonatal hypoglycemia is associated with brain damage, death and developmental delay in later life. Treatment of neonatal hypoglycemia with oral dextrose gel was more effective than feeding alone in reversing hypoglycemia, and thus reducing the rate of NICU admission for hypoglycemia. investigators study is using dates to asses its effect on hypoglycemia in infant at risk.

Inclusion criteria

• Babies at risk of hypoglycemia less than 1 hour old admitted to the normal nursery.
• Infants of diabetic mothers (any type of diabetes)
• Late Preterms (34 - 37 weeks' gestation)
• Low birth weight (< 2.5 kg ) or Small for gestational age
• Large for gestational age (> 4 kg or > 90th centile on Fenton's growth chart)

Exclusion criteria

• Major congenital abnormality including severe cleft lip and palate.
• Babies requiring NICU admission immediately after birth
• Babies less than 34 weeks of age.
• Babies whose parents refused to consent