Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Neonatal hypoglycemia is a common metabolic issue in newborns. While a drop in blood sugar levels after birth is expected and can be unconcerning, severe or prolonged hypoglycemia can lead to neurologic damage. Risk factors include maternal diabetes, preterm birth, and certain medications. Keep reading to learn about related nursing tasks including monitoring glucose levels, identifying at-risk infants, and initiating appropriate interventions, such as feeding or administering glucose.

Last updated: October 9, 2024

What is neonatal hypoglycemia?

In utero, the placenta provides a continuous flow of glucose to the fetus.
After delivery, the infant must transition to regulating their own glucose levels.
It is normal for infant blood glucose levels to drop in the first 24 hours, but any disruption to normal transition may result in hypoglycemia.
Up to 90% of glucose is used by the infant’s brain.
Severe or prolonged hypoglycemia can lead to neurologic damage.

Risk factors and causes of neonatal hypoglycemia

Risk factors that make it more likely an infant might become affected by hypoglycemia include:

Diabetic parent
Small or large for gestational age
Preterm
Hypothermic
Parent treated with certain medicine (terbutaline, steroids)

Which medication is responsible for neonatal hypoglycemia?

The parent being treated with certain kinds of medications can increase the risk for neonatal hypoglycemia in the infant, including:

Insulin or other hypoglycemic medications
Beta-blockers (atenolol, propranolol)
Indomethacin (pain reliever)
Terbutaline
Steroids

Symptoms of neonatal hypoglycemia

Look for the following symptoms in infants:

Seizures
Respiratory distress
Jittery
Lethargy
Poor feeding
Hypothermia
Hypotonia

Note that infants with hypoglycemia may be asymptomatic.

Infant nursing assessment

Measure infant:

Heart rate
Blood pressure
Temperature
Blood glucose level
Additional lab work

All at-risk newborns should be screened within the first 2–3 hours of life and reassessed per unit policy.

Neonatal hypoglycemia treatment

Interventions are:

Feed infant
Dextrose gel
IV glucose

Always reassess blood glucose levels 20–30 minutes after intervention.

Management according to severity of hypoglycemia:

Blood glucose below 20: intervene with fast-acting glucose
Blood glucose 20–40: feed infant (if able to and delivered at term)
Blood glucose over 40: normal care

Always check the unit’s specific policy for treatment levels.

Physiology of Pregnancy

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Neonatal Hypoglycemia

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Neonatal Hypoglycemia

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What is neonatal hypoglycemia?

Related videos

Risk factors and causes of neonatal hypoglycemia

Which medication is responsible for neonatal hypoglycemia?