Comparison of two strip test methods of whole blood glucose measurement inthe neonatal period

The aim of this study was to compare the performance and accuracy of the BM Strip test used in conjunction with Reflectance photometry, and the new no n-wipe strip test (Advantage) against a reference plasma glucose method. In total, 114 newborns consecutively admitted to the Neonatal Unit over a 6 m o period were enrolled into the study. Each newborn had their venous blood glucose measured by the BM Strip test and Advantage glucometer and the veno us haematocrit was also determined. Plasma glucose was measured in the labo ratory by the hexokinase method. The mean difference between the BM Strip t est and plasma glucose was significantly less than the corresponding value for the Advantage glucometer (0.312, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.11-0.51 vs 0.766, 95% CI 0.57-0.95], although the limits of agreement between both methods and plasma glucose were wide. Haematocrit did not influence signif icantly the accuracy of either test. Conclusion: The new Advantage glucose meter does not offer my advantage ove r the BM Strip test. Owing to the wide limits of agreement of both methods compared with plasma glucose, their clinical value is limited in the neonat al period.