Neonatal hypoglycemia is the decrease in the baby’s blood glucose level that can be observed 24 to 72 hours after birth.This condition is most common in babies born prematurely, large or small for gestational age, or whose mothers had inadequate nutrition during pregnancy.
Neonatal hypoglycemia is considered when:
- Diagnosis of neonatal hypoglycemia is made within 72 hours of birth by measuring the baby’s glucose concentration.
- It is important that the diagnosis is made as soon as possible so that treatment can be initiated to avoid complications.
- Such as permanent brain damage and even death.
Signs and symptoms of the newborn that may be indicative of neonatal hypoglycemia include:
In addition, if neonatal hypoglycemia is not controlled, complications such as coma, brain problems, learning difficulties, and even death may occur, so it is important that the diagnosis is made within the first few hours after birth and, if it is not done but symptoms appear after a few days of birth, it is important to go to the pediatrician to make the diagnosis and start treatment.Learn about the consequences of hypoglycemia.
The causes of neonatal hypoglycemia are related to the habits and health of the mother, the baby is more prone to hypoglycaemia when the mother has gestational diabetes, consumes alcohol or medications during pregnancy, does not have diabetes under control and has inadequate nutrition.For example.
In addition, the baby may have low glycogen intake or excessive insulin production, which is more common in newborns of diabetic mothers, and feeding should be done every 2-3 hours as recommended by the pediatrician.
Treatment of neonatal hypoglycemia is established by the pediatrician and breastfeeding is usually indicated every 3 hours, and the baby must be awakened if necessary, so that blood sugar can be more easily regulated.Glucose may need to be given directly into the vein.