Neonatal hypoglycemia is low blood sugar (glucose) in the first few days after birth.
Babies need sugar (glucose) for energy. Most of that glucose is used by the brain.
The developing baby gets glucose from the mother through the placenta. After birth, the baby gets glucose by producing it in the liver and from food.
Glucose levels can drop if:
Neonatal hypoglycemia occurs when the newborn’s glucose level is below the level considered acceptable for the baby's age.
Hypoglycemia is the most common metabolic problem in newborns. It occurs in approximately 1 - 3 out of every 1,000 births.
Infants with the following risk factors are at high risk for neonatal hypoglycemia:
Infants with hypoglycemia may not have symptoms. If they do occur, symptoms may include:
Newborns at risk for hypoglycemia should have a blood test to measure blood sugar levels every few hours after birth. The health care provider should continue taking blood tests until the baby’s blood sugar level is consistently normal.
Other possible tests:
Infants with hypoglycemia may need to receive:
Treatment normally continues for a few hours or days to a week.
If the low blood sugar continues, the baby may also receive medication to increase blood glucose levels (diazoxide) or to reduce insulin production (ocreotide).
In rare cases, newborns with very severe hypoglycemia who don’t improve with treatment may need surgery to remove part of the pancreas (to reduce insulin production).
The outlook is good for newborns who do not have symptoms, or who have hypoglycemia that gets better with treatment. However, hypoglycemia can return in a small percentage of babies after treatment.
The condition is more likely to return when babies are taken off intravenous feedings before they are fully ready to eat by mouth.
Babies with symptoms are more likely to develop problems with learning. This is especially true for babies with lower-than-average weight or whose mothers have diabetes.
Severe or long-term hypoglycemia may lead to brain damage, affecting normal mental function. Complications may include:
Call your health care provider if your baby has symptoms of neonatal hypoglycemia.
If you have diabetes during pregnancy, work with your health care provider to control your blood sugar levels. Be sure that your newborn's blood sugar levels are monitored after birth.