Transient neonatal hypoglycemia--long-term effects on neurodevelopmental outcome.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the frequency, etiology and consequences of neonatal hypoglycemia.


METHODS
Ninety-four infants admitted to Gazi University Hospital neonatal intensive care unit for hypoglycemia (blood glucose <2.2 mmol/l 140 mg/dl]) over the past 5 years were identified and investigated with regard to cause, duration of treatment and neurological outcome.


RESULTS
The frequency of neonatal hypoglycemia in our unit was 94/1,023 (9.18%). Twelve infants with hypoglycemia were small for gestational age (SGA), 55 were appropriate for gestational age (AGA), and 27 were large for gestational age (LGA). The cause of the hypoglycemia was not identified in 53 infants. SGA infants required the longest duration of i.v. glucose infusion. Forty-eight patients received psychometric evaluation, one patient showed a language deficit and two patients showed motor deficits.


CONCLUSIONS
Neonatal hypoglycemia is a dangerous condition for its acute and chronic complications, and may be observed in infants with no clear risk factors. However, if acted upon early, these complications are preventable with mostly very simple measures.
Dalgiç
Nazan
N
Department of Neonatology, Faculty of Medicine, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey. nazandalgic@ttnet.net.tr
Ergenekon
Ebru
E
Soysal
Sebnem
S
Koç
Esin
E
Atalay
Yildiz
Y
Gücüyener
Kivilcim
K
D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism; D002657:Child Development / Q000502:physiology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016640:Diabetes, Gestational / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D007234:Infant, Premature / Q000502:physiology; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors
D001786:Blood Glucose