NEONATAL GLUCOSE HOMEOSTASIS: A NEW LOOK

Abstract

To reexamine and establish normal values for plasma glucose (G) during the first week of life, 564 plasma G. values were done in 344 normal AGA full term newborns (NB) who weighed from 2.5-4.0 kg. Mean±S.D. for gest. age was 39.6±0.6 wk; birth wt: 3292±365g; Hct 62±6%; Apgar (5 min) 9.1±0.5. Serial samples were taken in 60 NB at 0 (cord), 1, 2 and 3 hr. Milk feedings were started at 3-4 hrs and cross sectional samples were taken in the other 284 NB. Results are shown in table:

Plasma G reached its lowest level at 1 hr, was sig. higher by 3 hrs; remained stable until 72 hrs and then rose sig. higher at 73-96 hrs. Thirteen percent of NB had G≤35mg% at 1-3hr; only 5% had symptoms of hypoglycemia. All symptomatic infants had plasma G≤25mg% and were treated by I.V. glucose. The remaining NB recovered spontaneously within one hour. None of the NB had G <40mg% after 3 hrs of age. In view of these findings, current definitions for hypoglycemia need to be reevaluated.

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