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Association between elevated blood glucose level and brain injuries (IVH/WMI) in preterm infants

Renée Lampe1, Ursula Felderhoff-Müser2, Irina Sidorenko3

  • 1TUM School of Medicine and Health, Department of Orthopedics and Sport Orthopedics, Markus Würth Professorship at Technical University of Munich, Research Unit for Paediatric Neuroorthopedics and Cerebral Palsy of the Buhl-Strohmaier Foundation, Technical University of Munich, TUM University Hospital, Ismaninger Str. 22, Munich, 81675, Germany. renee.lampe@tum.de.

BMC Pediatrics
|July 17, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Elevated blood glucose levels are linked to preterm brain injuries like intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and cystic white matter injury (cWMI). Monitoring glucose in preterm infants is crucial for prevention.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatalogy
  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Preterm brain injury, including intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and cystic white matter injury (cWMI), is a significant concern in neonatology.
  • While gestational age is a primary factor, multifactorial pathogenesis necessitates identifying additional risk factors.
  • Glucose metabolism plays a critical role in brain function, and both hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia can impact neurological outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between blood glucose levels and the incidence of preterm brain injury (IVH/cWMI).
  • To identify potential correlations between glucose dysregulation and other clinical parameters in extremely and very preterm infants.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of data from 109 extremely and very preterm infants.
  • Univariate statistical analyses were employed to examine the relationship between blood glucose and brain injury.
  • Data included 14 prenatal/infant diagnoses and 32 routinely measured parameters.

Main Results:

  • Preterm infants with IVH or cWMI exhibited higher mean blood glucose levels compared to controls.
  • Elevated glucose levels were observed both before and after the diagnosis of brain injury, exceeding the hyperglycemia threshold post-IVH diagnosis.
  • Significant associations were found between high blood glucose and 8 medical diagnoses and 21 measured parameters.

Conclusions:

  • Regular monitoring of blood glucose levels in preterm infants is essential.
  • Maintaining blood glucose within a safe range may be a key strategy in preventing preterm brain injury.
Abstract

Keywords:
Extremely and very preterm infantsHyperglycemiaHypoglycemiaIntraventricular hemorrhageWhite matter injuryWhole blood glucose

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