Neonatal Hypoglycemia Revisited, 1975

Abstract

Between 1971 and 1973, the frequency of neonatal hypoglycemia was 4.4/1,000 total inborn live births or 15.5/1,000 low-birthweight infants. During that same time, of 257 transferred infants, 13 or 5.1% were hypoglycenic. The hypoglycemic manifestations differed between the inborn and outborn infants as well as from those previously described for transient symptomatic hypoglycemia. This required a new classification for low blood glucose values in the neonate, based on intrauterine nutrition, stress, symptoms, and underlying pathology. Four categories were defined: category I: early transitional hypoglycemia; category II: secondary hypoglycemia; category III: classical transient hypoglycemia; and category IV: recurrent, severe hypoglycemia. One outborn infant was in the latter group due to β-cell hyperplasia and was only cured after a 90% pancreatectomy. Data revealed that early treatment of perinatal asphyxia was associated with a decreased frequency of hypoglycemia. While not a prospective survey, the evidence suggested that current neonatal intensive care may decrease the frequency of transient symptomatic neonatal hypoglycemia.