Treating hypoglycemia in newborns is safe, prevents brain damage

Infants who were treated for hypoglycemia, with the aim of maintaining a blood glucose level of at least 47 mg/dL, did not have an increased risk for adverse neurological outcomes at 2 years of age, according to recently published data. 

Up to this point, the recommended threshold of 47 mg/dL in neonates was just an estimate, according to a press release.

 “These findings are extremely reassuring. There is now firm evidence that physicians can provide an essential treatment to prevent brain damage without concern that there might be any unforeseen increase in risk to the newborn,” Tonse Raju, MD, chief of the Pregnancy and Perinatology Research Branch at NIH’s Eunice Kennedy Shriver Nation Institute of Child Health and Human Development, said in a press release.

Researchers examined 404 neonates to assess the association between duration, frequency and severity of low glucose concentrations during the neonatal stage and neuropsychological development at age 2 years. Included infants had a gestational age of at least 35 weeks and were considered at risk for hypoglycemia.

Results demonstrated that 53% of infants had hypoglycemia. 

No association between neonatal hypoglycemia and neurosensory impairment if processing difficulty at 2 years was seen, according to the researchers.

Slightly higher interstitial glucose concentrations within the first 48 hours was associated with neurosensory impairment at age 2 years.

Neurosensory impairment at 2 years was higher among those who had been treated for low glucose levels within the first 48 hours and had later developed high glucose levels, according to the researchers. 

“The possibility that blood glucose concentrations at the high end of the normal range or unstable blood glucose concentrations and rapid correction of hypoglycemia may be harmful requires further investigation,” the researchers wrote. – by Casey Hower

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.