Neonatal hypoglycemia is when a newborns blood glucose (sugar) is too low.
Glucose is the main fuel source for the body and brain.
In a newborn, low blood sugar has many causes.
Verywell / JR Bee
It can also cause problems, including breathing and feeding issues.
In fact, the incidence in high-risk newborns can be as high as 30 percent.
Research reported inThe Journal of Pediatricsfinds more than half of newborns with risk factors could become hypoglycemic.
Causes and Risk Factors
Babies get glucose from their mothers through the placenta before they are born.
After birth, their sources of glucose are breast milk and formula.
Glucose is also produced in the liver.
Blood sugar may drop if the baby is not able to eat enough.
Some newborns have certain risk factors that make them more likely to develop neonatal hypoglycemia.
Complications
In severe cases, neonatal hypoglycemia may affect the heart or brain and can cause seizures.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of neonatal hypoglycemia is done with a serum glucose test.
It is a blood test that measures blood sugar in a newborn using a heel stick.
Definitions of neonatal hypoglycemia vary.
Newborns with low blood sugar will need extra breast milk or formula feedings.
Treatment will continue for a few hours or days, or until the newborn maintains normal blood sugar levels.
If low blood sugar continues, the newborn will be given medication to increase blood sugar.
Babies who have this condition may need part of the pancreas removed to reduce insulin production.
Very low levels of blood sugar that remain persistent may affect a newborns development.
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