[Glucose in the newborn. A kinetic study (author's transl)]

At birth, serum glucose concentration in the newborn is correlated to the maternal glucose level. In the following hours glucose concentration declines to a low level and remains there for some days. Intravenous glucose loading five hours after delivery leads to a decrease of the glucose level in the same pattern as is found immediately after birth. Compared to older children the turnover rate of glucose in the newborn is reduced. Therefore the decrease of serum glucose concentration immediately after birth cannot be explained by an increased glucose consumption. At birth there is a stop of the glucose supply via the umbilical cord. The results show that the decreasing glucose concentration after birth can be explained as an adaptation of the steady state from the higher maternal level to a lower newborn level.