Capillary bedside blood glucose measurement in neonates: Missing a diagnosis of galactosemia

A number of factors may lead to inaccuracy in measurement of capillary blood glucose with a glucometer. measurement of other carbohydrate molecules such as galactose and fructose along with glucose can potentially be a cause of error. we report a newborn patient who was referred to our hospital with conjugated bilirubinemia,hepatomegaly and high capillary blood glucose levels measured with a glucometer. simultaneous biochemical measurements revealed normal blood glucose levels. further investigation led to a diagnosis of classical galactosemia. capillary blood glucose level measured with glucometer also dropped to normal values following cessation of breastfeeding and initiation of feeding with a lactose-free formula. © journal of clinical research in pediatric endocrinology.