Related Experiment Videos
Glucose and the newborn baby: sweet justice?
1Department of Neonatology, Woden Valley Hospital, Canberra, Australia.
Insights
Neonatal hypoglycemia is debated, but blood glucose above 2.5 mmol/L is recommended for newborns. On-site glucose analyzers are ideal for screening in neonatal intensive care units.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal Medicine
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Neonatal hypoglycemia is a complex issue with evolving definitions.
- Optimal blood glucose levels for newborns lack universal consensus.
- Evidence supports maintaining blood glucose above 2.5 mmol/L in neonates.
Abstract:
Neonatal hypoglycaemia remains a controversial issue. Uncertainty surrounds what constitutes the optimal safe blood glucose for newborn babies. There are good reasons and evidence for maintaining blood glucose greater than 2.5 mmol/L in newborn babies. Since 1986 neonatal paediatricians have changed in their definition of neonatal hypoglycaemia. Ideally, screening of blood glucose in neonatal intensive care units should be done with an on-site glucose analyzer.