Hypoglycemia is when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood is too low. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the brain and the body. In a newborn baby, low blood sugar can happen for many reasons. It can cause problems such as shakiness, blue tint to the skin, and breathing and feeding problems.

What happens if a baby has low blood sugar?

Hypoglycemia is when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood is too low. Glucose is the main source of fuel for the brain and the body. In a newborn baby, low blood sugar can happen for many reasons. It can cause problems such as shakiness, blue tint to the skin, and breathing and feeding problems.

What are 3 reasons infants may be at risk for hypoglycemia?

Infants are at risk for more severe or prolonged hypoglycemia due to one or a combination of the following underlying mechanisms: insufficient glucose supply, with low glycogen or fat stores or poor mechanisms of glucose production; increased glucose utilization caused by excessive insulin production or increased …

What are 4 signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia in a newborn?

Signs of hypoglycemia in a newborn

• shakiness.
• blue or white discoloration of the lips and skin.
• a lack of interest in eating.
• weak or floppy muscles.
• low energy.
• low body temperature.
• seizures.

How is infant hypoglycemia treated?

Overview — Outcome data have shown that hypoglycemic neonates with severe neuroglycopenic signs (lethargy, coma, seizures) may have brain injury. As a result, aggressive therapy that includes the use of parenteral glucose (dextrose) is used to increase blood glucose levels in these patients [1,2].

Why do preterm babies get hypoglycemia?

Preterm neonates are uniquely predisposed to developing hypoglycemia and its associated complications due to their limited glycogen and fat stores, inability to generate new glucose using gluconeogenesis pathways, have higher metabolic demands due to a relatively larger brain size, and are unable to mount a counter- …

How common is hypoglycemia in newborns?

All were born at risk of hypoglycemia, mainly because the mother had diabetes, the birth was preterm (before 37 weeks), or the birth weight was very low or very high. Of the infants, 216 (53%) had blood glucose levels less than 47 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dl), which is a well-accepted threshold for hypoglycemia.

Does hypoglycemia go away in newborns?

The outlook is good for newborns who do not have symptoms, or who respond well to treatment. However, low blood sugar level can return in a small number of babies after treatment. The condition is more likely to return when babies are taken off fluids given through a vein before they are fully ready to eat by mouth.

Can low blood sugar in a newborn cause brain damage?

Severe or prolonged hypoglycemia or low blood sugar in a newborn that is not treated can result in seizures, serious brain injury, irreversible brain damage, developmental delays, heart failure, seizures, epilepsy or cerebral palsy.

How does breastfeeding help with hypoglycemia?

Summary: Researchers are proving that a dose of dextrose gel administered into a baby’s cheek along with regular feedings can raise hypoglycemic babies’ blood sugar, allowing them to stay with their mothers, which promotes breastfeeding.

How long does neonatal hypoglycemia last?

Usually, low blood glucose levels will only last for a few hours, but can last up to 24-72 hours. Once your baby’s levels become normal, he shouldn’t have further problems with hypoglycemia (another name for low blood glucose). In very rare cases, low blood sugar can be severe or last a long time.