The Role Of L-carnitine In Anemic And Hypoglycemic Neonates:

Marwa Mahmoud Basha

L-Carnitine supplementation improves random blood sugar andhemoglobin level when administered beside traditional treatment ofhypoglycemia and anemiaThe aim of this study was to evaluate the role of L-carnitine in theprognosis of anemia and hypoglycemia in neonates.In our study a total number of 60 neonates were included anddivided into 2 groups:Group 1: Hypoglycemic group, it included 30 neonates, 15 ofthem received L-carnitine and traditional treatment ofhypoglycemia(group A) and other 15 neonates did not receive Lcarnitineand were on traditional treatment of hypoglycemia only(groupB)Group 2: Anemic group, it included 30 neonates, 15 of themreceived L-carnitine and traditional treatment of anemia. (group C), andother 15 neonates did not receive L-carnitine and were on treatment ofanemia only (group D).All groups were subjected to full history taking,thorough clinicalexamination and laboratory investigations including, Random blood sugarand Hb level in 1st day, end of 1st week, end of 2nd week and end of 2ndmonth of lifeBy analysis of the collected data we found that:There was insignificant improvement of random blood sugar in firstday treatment of hypoglycemic group A but there was significantimprovement after one week and two weeks of L- carnitine Summary and conclusion - 62 -administration and high significant improvement at the end of secondmonth of L- carnitine administration.As regard the effect of L- carnitine therapy in anemic patients wefound that:There was insignificant improvement of Hb level in first day andafter one week of L- carnitine administration to anemic group C but therewas significant improvement after two weeks of L- carnitineadministration and high significant improvement at the end of secondmonth of L- carnitine administration. So we concluded that. Summary and conclusion - 63 -ConclusionL-Carnitine supplementation improves neonatal anemia andhypoglycemia and significant improvement occurs when the duration oftreatment is prolonged for more than one month. Summary and conclusion - 64 -Recommendationsfrom the results of our study, we can recommend the following: The use of L- carnitine in neonatal anemia and hypoglycemia asadjuvant therapy to standard treatment for prolonged duration morethan one month .Further studies are needed for more evaluation of the role ofL– carnitine in the treatment of neonatal anemia and hypoglycemiafor more adjustement of the dose and duration of therapy, also werecommend more studies for the role of L-carnitine therapy inpreventing hypoglycemia and anemia in neonates at risk.Further studies are also, needed to evaluate the role of Lcarnitinein other neonatal diseases as sepsis, asphyxia,prematurity, …etc.