Low Blood Sugar in Newborns

Maintaining Normal Glucose Levels is Very Important for New Babies

Mar 11, 2009 Kenneth Rosen

Glucose is a common fuel used by all of our cells. In newborn babies it is not uncommon for blood glucose levels to be low. Keeping it from going too low is critical.

The regulation of circulating levels of glucose in the bloodstream is a complicated process. It relies on a great deal more than just sugar intake and insulin production by the pancreas. It is not uncommon for newborns to have some difficulty keeping their blood glucose from falling below the normal range (hypoglycemia). (While still debated vigorously, many healthcare centers consider a blood glucose level of 60 - 80 mg/dl as "normal" for a newborn). Maintaining an appropriate level of blood glucose is an important physiological factor for the baby, because without correct regulation severe problems may develop.

Causes of Low Blood Sugar in Newborns

It is relatively common to see transient hypoglycemia in babies born to women with diabetes, or using certain types of medications. Also babies that are either large for gestational age or small for gestational age can show altered ability to stably maintain their blood glucose levels. Less frequent, but equally important, causes of neonatal hypoglycemia include systemic infections (sepsis), inborn errors of metabolism, birth trauma or distress, and problems with mobilizing complex carbohydrates from the liver.

How are Blood Glucose Levels Regulated?

The regulation of blood glucose levels is more complex than simply how much food (or for a newborn, formula or breast milk) is taken in and how much insulin is made by the pancreas. Complex carbohydrates, most typically glycogen, that are stored in certain tissues (but mostly the liver) can be mobilized and broken down into glucose. The amount of fatty acids, lipids, proteins and amino acids in the digestive tract and the circulation can impact on blood glucose regulation. Changes in adrenaline levels can change the levels of glucose in the blood, as can other hormones such as glucagon, growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor.

Glucose Regulation is Critically Important

Glucose is the fuel most readily used by all cells and tissues, and while an adult may have substantial stores of glycogen and other complex carbohydrates, newborns typically do not. After having been provided a steady stream of glucose through their mother’s circulation during pregnancy, the moment of birth presents them with an obvious array of challenges including generating enough glucose to keep the body going and most importantly, keeping the brain functioning optimally. Without appropriate levels of glucose, a newborn can suffer seizures and a host of other problems which can ultimately lead to long term damage to their brain.

How Is Neonatal Hypoglycemia Treated?

For many cases, administration of regulated feedings or intravenous solutions containing glucose for a short period of time can help to stabilize blood glucose levels. And for most of these cases, once control has been established, there is usually no further need for additional intervention.

To read more detailed technical information on neonatal hypoglycemia see the recent article from Drs. Hilarie Cranmer and Michael Shannon at eMedicine.

The copyright of the article Low Blood Sugar in Newborns in Pregnancy & Childbirth is owned by Kenneth Rosen. Permission to republish Low Blood Sugar in Newborns in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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