Hypoglycemia

• Hypoglycemia is a condition where blood glucose levels fall below 40 mg/dl in term newborns or below 30 mg/dl in preterm newborns.
• Hypoglycemia can cause brain damage or death if untreated. It can occur due to various risk factors such as prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), maternal diabetes, perinatal asphyxia or sepsis.
• Signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia in newborns include twitching, irregular respirations, jitteriness, weak or high-pitched cry, cyanosis, lethargy, seizures or eye-rolling.



• Interventions for hypoglycemia include monitoring blood glucose levels at least every 4 hours for at-risk newborns or whenever signs are present; ensuring early and frequent feeding with breast milk or formula; providing intravenous glucose infusion if oral feeding is ineffective or contraindicated; maintaining skin-to-skin contact with mother; keeping warm; treating any underlying causes; educating parents on prevention and recognition of hypoglycemia; referring to a pediatrician if needed