About this topic
Newborn hypoglycemia is also known as low blood sugar. Your baby has a lower than normal amount of sugar or glucose in the blood. Babies need glucose for energy. The brain uses most of this glucose. Lack of glucose to the brain can harm how well the babys brain is able to work. ‚
What are the causes?
- Low levels of glucose in the blood
- Low levels of stored glucose in the liver. This is glycogen.
- High levels of insulin in the blood. Insulin is a hormone. It moves glucose out of the blood and into the cells for energy.
What can make this more likely to happen?
When your baby: ‚
- Is born 3 or more weeks before due date
- Is a large size at birth
- Has a problem at birth that causes a low temperature or a lack of oxygen
- Grows poorly while you are pregnant and has a low birth weight
- Has an inherited disorder in which the body cannot turn food into energy
- Has a different blood type than mother
- Has an infection, or a problem with the thyroid or liver
When the mother: ‚
- Had a poor diet while pregnant
- Has high blood sugar
What are the main signs?
Your baby may not show any signs of low blood sugar. The most common signs when they do happen are: ‚
- Bluish-colored skin
- Low muscle tone
- Low body temperature
- Poor feeding or throwing up
- Jitteriness, shaking, or seizures
- Being fussy
- Very sleepy
- Breathing problems
How does the doctor diagnose this health problem?
The doctor will do a blood test to measure blood sugar. Your baby may need to have a blood sugar level drawn every few hours. These will continue until the levels are normal and stay stable. Your doctor will talk about what level is normal for your baby. Other tests that may be done are urine tests and testing for inherited disorders. ‚
How does the doctor treat this health problem?
The goal in treating your babys low blood sugar is to quickly get a normal blood sugar level. The best way is for your baby to eat breast milk or formula. A baby who cannot eat right away needs some other way to get sugar into the body. Your baby may need a tube feeding. One more way to raise your baby's sugar level is to start an I.V. The doctor can give your baby a sugar mixture through a vein. ‚
Most often, treatment may last for a few hours or days after birth up to a week. Your baby's blood sugar levels are checked closely during and after treatment to be sure they stay stable. ‚
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
In some cases, there may not be any way to avoid newborn low blood sugar. Mothers with high blood sugar when pregnant should try to have good blood sugar control. Your babys blood sugar levels should be checked after birth. ‚
Where can I learn more?
American Academy of Pediatrics ‚
http://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/chronic/Pages/Causes-of-High-Blood-Glucose-and-Low-Blood-Glucose.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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