Copyright 2004 The Regents of the University of California
Neonatal Hypoglycemia
BACKGROUND and PATHOPHYSIOLOGY: Glucose is the major energy
source for
fetus and neonate. The newborn brain depends upon glucose almost
exclusively. Up to90% of total glucose used is consumed by the
brain. Alternate fuels (e.g., ketones,lactate) are produced in very
low quantities. The usual rate of glucose utilization is
4-8mg/kg/min. Glucose regulatory mechanisms are sluggish at birth.
Thus, the infant is
susceptible to hypoglycemia when glucose demands are increased
or when exogenousor endogenous glucose supply islimited. Severe or
prolonged hypoglycemia may
result in long term neurologic damage.
DEFINITION: Hypoglycemia in the first few days after birth is
defined as blood glucose
![Hypoglycemia and Diabetes · hypoglycemia, including severe hypoglycemia, occur in people with type 2 diabetes.[25] There is no doubt that hypoglycemia can be fatal.[26] In addition](https://img.pdfslide.net/doc/110x75/5f0518c07e708231d4113f09/hypoglycemia-and-hypoglycemia-including-severe-hypoglycemia-occur-in-people-with.jpg)
