Newborns With Low Blood Sugar

What Is Low Blood Sugar In Newborns

The presence of fewer glucose levels than needed in the body of the newborns is low sugar level. The babies require sugar for their bodies to function and most of this energy is consumed by the brain and when the brain and body dont get enough glucose from the sources after birth it leads to the low sugar level in them. The normal blood sugar levels in the newborns are between 54 to 72 mg/dl. Any levels higher or lower than these are referred to as low blood sugar levels in newborns or high blood sugar levels in newborns.

Which Babies Are At Risk

• Babies whose mothers had diabetes during pregnancy.

• Sick babies, such as those who have an infection.

• Premature babies, born earlier than three weeks before their due date .

• Small babies, less than 2500 grams, especially those who are smaller than average for the stage of their mother’s pregnancy. These babies are considered to be small for gestational age babies.

• Large for gestational age babies who weigh over 4500 grams.

What Treatment May Be Needed

• If your baby’s blood sugar level is a little bit low we recommend extra feeds.

• If your baby’s blood sugar is very low or if the extra feeds don’t improve the level, a glucose solution is given intravenously to bring the baby’s blood sugar level up to normal. Your baby would need to be admitted to NICU to have this.

If you have concerns or want more information about your baby, ask the doctor or nurse providing your baby’s care.

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Neonatal Hypoglycemia Caused By Negligence

Suppose a baby had risk factors for hypoglycemia but testing was not done or testing was not done properly. In that case, there may be cause to investigate for negligence. An infant must have an early diagnosis and swift treatment for low blood sugar. If the condition is left untreated, the baby may suffer from brain damage or an injury.

A brain injury, or damage, caused by hypoglycemia, should be considered by a team of experienced injury legal counsel. There are guidelines established by the Canadian Pediatric Society that can determine if the healthcare professionals neglected to intervene in Canada.

Some Truths About Hypoglycmia Of The Newborn

1. The best way to prevent low blood sugar is to feed the baby with milk.However, formula and breastmilk are not equivalent and colostrum is far better to prevent and treat low blood sugar than formula . A little bit of colostrum maintains the blood sugar better than a lot of formula.

2. Having the baby skin to skin with the mother immediately after birth maintains the babys blood sugar higher than if the baby is separated from her..

3. There is no lowest level of blood sugar that is universally accepted as meaning the baby has low blood sugar.Because of this atmosphere of hyper-concern about low blood sugar, the level of sugar keeps being raised to absurd levels. In many hospitals now, 3.4 mmol/L is now considered the lowest acceptable blood sugar. Even 30 mmol/L has been used, without proof, as the lower limit of normal. This is patently aberrant and there is no evidence to back up such a level as the lowest acceptable blood sugar concentration.

4. There is no reliable method of measuring the blood sugar outside the laboratory. The use of paper strips to measure the blood sugar is not reliable. Paper strips tend to underestimate the true value. Only the laboratory gives a reliable measure of plasma glucose or sugar .

9. A baby who is born small for the length of the pregnancy maintains his blood sugar just as well if breastfed or formula fed. Of course, its important the baby is breastfeeding.

Also see the video clips of young babies breastfeeding.

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How To Tell If Your Newborn Has Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar in newborns does not usually come with visible signs and symptoms. However, by keenly watching your baby, you should be able to infer the lack of sufficient levels of blood sugar. It is also important to note that these signs will vary from child to child. If you note any of these symptoms in your child, then you need to go see a doctor immediately.

• Blue coloring of the skin
• Poor feeding of the newborn
• Seizure attacks

Types Of Newborn Hypoglycemia

There are two different types of neonatal hypoglycemia: transient and persistent . Babies who have transient NH typically have a deficiency of glycogen stores at birth. This is common in babies that are born premature, who are small for gestational age, or experienced birth asphyxia. Transient NH babies also may experience hyperinsulinism, which occurs most often in babies born to diabetic mothers.

Newborn hypoglycemia can also occur if an IV infusion of glucose is interrupted for example, if the umbilical catheter is incorrectly positioned or the baby has sepsis. If the baby experiences NH due to an error of medication administration, this is medical malpractice.

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For How Long Might Blood Glucose Checks Or Additional Treatment Be Required

Blood glucose levels in babies usually become normal within 12 hours to 72 hours of birth, especially once a regular feeding pattern is established. The risk of low blood glucose is greatest in the first 12 hours of life in large-for-dates and full-term babies, and up to 36 hours of life in small-for-dates and preterm babies.

It is rare for babies to continue to have difficulty maintaining their blood glucose levels. If this happens beyond 24 hours, speak with your babys doctor.

For more information on your babys growth and development, visit < www.caringforkids.cps.ca> .

Babies That Are At Higher Risk Of Developing Hypoglycemia

low blood sugar in newborn babies is most commonly found when the mother has diabetes.

• Babies who are premature or who are a very low birth weight are at higher risk.
• A smaller twin has a higher risk of becoming a low blood sugar baby.
• Babies with colds or respiratory problems after birth.
• Mothers who had long labors.
• Babies who are under stress during delivery.
• Babies who get too cold after birth and are not allowed skin on skin contact.
• Mothers who are given intravenous fluids containing glucose.

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Do All Newborn Babies Need Blood Glucose Checks

A newborn that is at risk for low blood sugar will be checked at 2 hours of life and then again periodically depending on the specific situation. Babies born at full term and who are not at risk do not need blood glucose checks, as they have enough stored energy to last until feeding is well established.

As some babies are more likely to have low blood glucose in the first few hours or days of life, they will get routine glucose checks starting at about 2 hours of age. These at-risk newborns are preterm babies, babies that are underweight or overweight for their gestational age, and babies whose mothers have diabetes.

The Following Are Signs Your Baby Is Well

Is your baby feeding well?

In the first 24 hours you should aim to feed your baby at least every three hours. If you are breastfeeding it may be that some of these feeds are given as expressed breast milk if your baby does not achieve latching and feeding effectively, this is ok. Ensure you get support with your chosen method of feeding to ensure that you know how to feed your baby effectively.

Once over the first 24 hours continue to feed your baby regularly until they are waking and showing cues to feed regularly themselves. When they are doing this you can feed your baby responsively in line with their cues, aiming for at least 8 to 12 feeds in 24 hours

If you notice your baby has become less interested in feeding than before this may be a sign they are unwell and you should seek advice.

Is your baby warm enough?

Babies hand and feet can often feel quite cool to touch and this can be normal. However, if you place the back of your hand on the back of your babys neck or the trunk of their tummy they should feel slightly warm to touch. If you check your babys temperature by using a thermometer the temperature should be between 36.5 degrees and 37.5 degrees.

Is your baby responding to you?

When your baby is awake, the baby will look at you and pay attention to your voice and gestures. If you try to wake your baby, the baby should respond to you in some way.

Is your babys muscle tone normal?

Is your babys colour normal?

Is your baby breathing normal?

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How To Treat Low Blood Sugar In Newborns

Low blood sugar in newborns is referred to as neonatal hypoglycemia, and is generally experienced in the first few days after birth. The condition is experienced by 2 in every 1,000 newborns. In newborns, sugar is important for the energy supply of the brain during birth. Babies get their supply of sugar from the mother through the placenta before birth. After birth, the baby stores sugar in the heart, liver and muscles. Neonatal hypoglycemia can be caused by a number of reasons, and can be well managed to ensure the well-being of the baby.

What Causes Hypoglycemia In A Newborn Baby

Hypoglycemia can be caused by conditions such as:

• Poor nutrition for the mother during pregnancy
• Making too much insulin because the mother has poorly controlled diabetes
• Incompatible blood types of mother and baby
• More insulin in the baby’s stool for other reasons, such as a tumor of the pancreas
• Congenital metabolic diseases or hormone deficiencies. Some of these run in families.
• Not enough oxygen at birth

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What Are Some Risk Factors For Hypoglycemia

– Increased age. The risk of having severe hypoglycemia roughly doubles with each decade of life after age 60. … – Skipping meals. … – Erratic eating patterns. … – Heavy exercise. … – Weight loss. … – Taking beta-blockers. … – Using the same injection site too frequently. … – Antidepressants.

Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Treating Low Blood Sugar

Every postpartum unit should have banked breastmilk available on site. Banked breastmilk is preferable to formula as a supplement whenever the supplement is truly necessary. Even if the baby needs treatment for low blood sugar, there is rarely a reason for the baby not to breastfeed as well. A baby can be at the breast even if he has an intravenous. A baby can get supplements even while being breastfed.

If there is a concern about the babys blood sugar dropping too rapidly or being too low and good breastfeeding doesnt seem to be correcting the problem, the baby should get an intravenous infusion of glucose rather than formula. Babies often spit up formula in the first few days because they get so much. If there is a real concern, taking formula by mouth does not guarantee the blood sugar will be raised.

A relatively new treatment to prevent low blood sugar is the use of glucose gel, rubbed into the cheeks of the newborn baby at risk for low blood sugar. An important advantage of this treatment is the prevention of separation of the mother and baby, so the mother can be helped to initiate breastfeeding.

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How Can I Prevent Low Blood Glucose In My Baby

The most natural way to feed your baby and to keep a normal blood glucose level is early and frequent breastfeeding. Talk to your health care provider before you start using breast milk substitutes .

Its also important to know if your baby is at risk for low blood glucose .

Do not smoke during pregnancy. Babies who are exposed to tobacco dont grow well.

Who Should Be Screened

Glucose screening is recommended for infants in the following categories who are at increased risk for pathological hypoglycemia:

• Born to mothers with gestational diabetes or diabetes mellitus
• Large for gestational age
• Small for gestational age

Checking at least one glucose level is also recommended for infants with clinical signs consistent with hypoglycemia:

• Tremors, jitteriness, irritability
• Poor suck, refusal to feed

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Help Your Baby And/or Prevent Low Blood Sugar In Newborns

• Breastfeed as often as you can. Breast milk will help stabilize a babys blood sugar levels.
• Keep your baby warm and prevent your baby from crying for long periods at a time after birth. Skin to skin contact and kangaroo care is recommended.
• Its best to breastfeed your baby as quickly after birth as possible, even in the delivery room if you can.
• If your baby is not sucking properly, you can pump the colostrum and cup feed your baby. Even a small amount of colostrum can help regulate your babys sugar levels.
• Breast compressions can increase the flow of milk and the amount of milk/colostrum that is transferred to a baby.
• If the mother is diabetic, she should eat well and control her diabetes properly during her pregnancy.
• If supplements or donated breast milk are given to a baby, make sure that they are given without using artificial nipples, which can cause nipple confusion. There are many alternative ways to feed a baby, including using an SNS this allows a baby to stay on the breast while being supplemented.

Once feeding is established, newborn low blood sugar is usually not a problem anymore.

Why Would A Newborn Baby Have Low Blood Sugar

Low blood sugar level is more likely in infants with one or more of these risk factors: Born early, has a serious infection, and/or needed oxygen right after delivery. Mother has diabetes. Slower than expected growth in the womb during pregnancy.

Neonatal Hypoglycemia Causes, Treatment & Prevention

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What Is Blood Glucose

Blood glucose is a sugar that moves through the bloodstream and provides energy to all the cells in the body. It is one of your babys most important sources of energy.

Babies with normal blood glucose levels have all the energy they need for healthy growth and development. However, in rare cases, blood glucose levels can fall too low and cause a baby to become sick.

What Causes Neonatal Hypoglycemia

During pregnancy, the fetus is supplied with glucose and other essential nutrients through the placenta. The placenta stores some of the glucose in the form of glycogen. During the delivery, the infants brain uses up these glycogen stores. A part of glucose is also stored in the liver, and some other parts of the body. These are used up after the baby is born. After delivery, the child gets the needed nourishment through mothers milk. In the first few days after birth, the childs immune system is strengthened with the antibodies present in the milky secretion called colostrum.

The composition of breast milk changes in the weeks that follow. While water forms a substantial part of the mature milk, other components of milk include carbohydrates, fats, proteins and other essential nutrients. Since the baby is dependent on milk for all the essential nutrients, the chances of child suffering from neonatal hypoglycemia would be high if the baby is not being breastfed well. If a child is not breastfed well, it will most likely lead to drop in blood sugar levels that might make the child irritable.

The child will lose more energy from episodes of crying that follow. It is therefore, extremely important that nursing mothers find out all about the ways to breastfeed the infant properly.

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Low Blood Sugar In Newborns: Causes Signs And Long

Glucose, or blood sugar, is crucial to brain development as it is the main source of energy for the brain. Neonatal hypoglycemia is a condition in which a babys blood sugar falls dangerously low within a few days of birth. These low glucose levels can impair the growth process and cause brain cells to die. Neonatal hypoglycemia is one of the most common neonatal metabolic issues, and is easily treated.When a baby transitions to life outside the mothers womb, blood glucose levels naturally drop during the first two hours after delivery . However, an infant with neonatal hypoglycemia experiences a more dramatic and prolonged drop in blood sugar than a healthy infant would. In utero, the fetus is usually able to obtain steady glucose levels from the mother through the placenta. After birth, the infant takes in glucose from breastmilk or formula, as well as producing it in the liver. A stable level of glucose is important for organ function in a newborn baby, and the brain uses glucose almost exclusively for energy metabolism and development .

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Causes And Risk Factors

Babies get glucose from their mothers through the placenta before they are born. After birth, their sources of glucose are breast milk and formula. Glucose is also produced in the liver. Blood sugar may drop when there is too much insulin , if the baby is not producing enough or using too much or if the baby is unable to feed.

Some newborns have certain risk factors that make it easier for them to develop neonatal hypoglycemia. These may include:

• Being born too early

• Tremors or seizures

If your newborn is experiencing any of these symptoms, talk to the nurses and healthcare providers about blood tests. Even if the newborn does not have symptoms and you know there are risk factors, its still best to discuss these with your healthcare provider.

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