Hypoglycemia in the Newborn

Abstract

This article covers several aspects of the clinical management of neonatal hypoglycemia that have recently evolved, reviewing the evidence informing these recommended changes in practice. Topics covered include use of buccal dextrose gel, rationale for avoiding the traditional "mini dextrose bolus," and benefits of direct breastfeeding for the treatment of asymptomatic hypoglycemia in at-risk newborns. The reasons for increasing use of more accurate point-of-care devices for measuring neonatal glucose concentrations are discussed, as well as the implications of different published opinions regarding the determination of readiness for discharge and the most important considerations when making this determination.

Keywords: Dextrose; Dextrose gel; Discharge readiness; Glucose; Glucose meter; Neonatal hypoglycemia.