Hypoglycaemia in an infant of a mother with fasting hyperglycaemia - a case report

SummaryWe report a case of perinatal death from hypoglycaemia in an infant of a mother who had fasting hyperglycaemia diagnosed at 31 weeks of gestation and managed with diet alone. Blood glucose values were not conclusive of gestational impaired glucose tolerance by WHO and American Diabetes Association standards, yet autopsy histological findings in the pancreas were similar to that described in neonates of a diabetic mother. We therefore emphasize that all pregnant women with inconclusive glucose values for diagnosis of full blown gestational diabetes mellitus should be fully investigated and closely monitored during antenatal care. The infants of such mothers may be at a higher risk of hypoglycemia in the immediate post natal period and would require similar monitoring and aggressive management.