Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycaemia is a condition where there is a low level of glucose, or sugar, in the blood.  This can be dangerous for a newborn baby. Some newborns are more at risk than others for developing hypoglycaemia after birth such as babies born prematurely, as well as babies whose mother had gestational diabetes or who encountered distress during labour and delivery. These babies may need close monitoring after birth with blood tests. Some may show signs of having a low level of glucose and require prompt testing and treatment. Without treatment, very low levels of glucose can stop the brain from functioning normally and this can cause seizures and even permanent brain injury.

Warning signs that a newborn may have hypoglycaemia include:

• Jittery or shaky arms and legs;
• Skin and lips may appear blue;
• Seizures;
• Pausing or stopping breathing;
• Having a weak or high-pitched cry;
• Floppy arms, legs and body;
• Struggling to feed.

Glucose is the main fuel for all of the cells in the body. In the womb, a baby receives glucose from the placenta. After birth, a baby has to maintain a normal glucose level using glucose from feeding and stores in his or her body.

The cells in the brain rely upon a continuous supply of glucose to function normally and are more sensitive to low levels of glucose than other cells in the body.  Hypoglycaemia can affect the way that the brain works and, if the level of glucose falls very low or stays low for a long period of time, then this can cause seizures and potentially a permanent brain injury.

Most babies have a drop in their level of glucose in the blood in the first hours of life as they adapt to life outside of the womb. However, below a certain level, hypoglycaemia can become harmful, particularly if it is not corrected quickly. To know whether a baby is hypoglycaemic, health care professionals should be alert to the signs of hypoglycaemia and test if they suspect a baby has a low level of glucose. Testing involves using a tiny spot of blood from a skin-prick and the result is available within seconds.

There are also babies who should be tested in the hours following birth automatically as they are more at risk of developing hypoglycaemia. These include:

• Babies born to a pregnant woman with diabetes;
• Babies born with a higher or lower weight than expected for the length of the pregnancy;
• Babies who did not grow as expected in the womb;
• Babies born prematurely;
• Babies born to a pregnant woman who received certain medication, e.g. labetalol or steroids;
• Babies who do not feed well at birth;
• Babies deprived of oxygen around the time of birth.

If hypoglycaemia is detected on testing then the treatment will depend upon how low the glucose level is. It may be enough to increase the frequency of feeding.  Sometimes, it may be necessary to use a gel containing another form of glucose called dextrose to rapidly increase the glucose level. It may be necessary to place a line into a newborn’s vein to give glucose directly into the blood to avoid hypoglycaemia causing harm to the baby. Whatever treatment is used, regular checks of the blood glucose level are required to ensure that the level is increasing to normal and may be as often as every 30 minutes.

Hypoglycaemia in newborns is easy to treat if detected, and treatment can help avoid a brain injury. If your baby suffered from hypoglycaemia in the hours or days following birth and may have suffered a brain injury then please contact us – we would like to help. We have a team of experienced lawyers and medical specialists who can review the medical care your baby received and help answer your questions. We will provide you with the information and advice you need to make informed decisions about your child’s future and ensure your child’s rights are protected.  Rest assured – the consultation is confidential and free of charge.