title: Implementing a Protocol Using Glucose Gel to Treat Neonatal Hypoglycemia.
abstract: Neonatal hypoglycemia is a leading cause of admission of neonates to the NICU. Typical treatment for neonatal hypoglycemia includes supplementation with formula or, in some cases, intravenous glucose administration. These treatments, though effective at treating hypoglycemia, interrupt exclusive breastfeeding and interfere with mother-infant bonding. Our institution developed a treatment algorithm for newborns at risk for neonatal hypoglycemia. The new algorithm called for the oral administration of 40% glucose gel. This intervention resulted in a 73% decreasein admission rates to the NICU for hypoglycemia, and it supported exclusive breastfeeding, skin-to-skin contact, and mother-infant bonding.
authors.affiliation: Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, Park Ridge, IL. Electronic address: catherine.bennett@advocatehealth.com.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bennett
authors.affiliation: Northwestern Memorial Hospital, Chicago, IL.
authors.forename: Elyse
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fagan
authors.affiliation: Loyola University, Maywood, IL.
authors.forename: Edwin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Chaharbakhshi
authors.affiliation: Russel Institute for Research & Innovation, Advocate Healthcare, Park Ridge, IL.
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zamfirova
authors.affiliation: Lifeworks Learning Center, Mill Valley, CA.
authors.forename: Jai
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Flicker
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D005260:Female; D005782:Gels / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D005947:Glucose / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000178:diet therapy* / Q000451:nursing*; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007232:Infant, Newborn, Diseases / Q000178:diet therapy*; D008297:Male; D017283:Neonatal Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D014481:United States
chemical_list: D005782:Gels; D005947:Glucose
keywords: NICU; exclusive breastfeeding; glucose gel; neonatal hypoglycemia; skin-to-skin