Hypoglycemia in the newborn.

Abstract

Since a universal definition for hypoglycemia is lacking, an operational threshold for initiating therapy has been defined. Hypoglycemia is encountered in a variety of neonatal conditions including prematurity, growth retardation and maternal diabetes. Since hypoglycemia may be asymptomatic, routine screening for this condition in certain high risk situations is recommended. Supervised breast-feeding may be a treatment option in asymptomatic hypoglycemia. However, symptomatic hypoglycemia should always be treated with a continuous infusion of parenteral dextrose. Neonates needing dextrose infusion rates above 12 mg/kg/m should be investigated for refractory causes of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia has been linked to poor neuro-developmental outcome and hence aggressive screening and treatment is recommended.

• Authors: S Narayan, R Aggarwal, A K Deorari, V K Paul
• Journal: Indian journal of pediatrics (Indian J Pediatr) Vol. 68 Issue 10 Pg. 963-5 (Oct 2001) ISSN: 0019-5456 [Print] India
• PMID: 11758134 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)

Chemical References

• Blood Glucose
• Glucose

Topics

• Blood Glucose (analysis)
• Female
• Glucose (therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Hypoglycemia (diagnosis, drug therapy)
• Infant, Low Birth Weight
• Infant, Newborn
• Infant, Premature (physiology)
• Infusions, Intravenous (methods)
• Neonatal Screening (methods)
• Risk Factors