Hypoglycemia means low blood glucose sugar. It's a condition in which the amount of glucose in the blood is lower than normal. During pregnancy, glucose is passed to the baby from the mother through the placenta. Some of the glucose is stored in the placenta, and later in the baby's liver, heart and muscles.
These stores of glucose are important for supplying the baby's brain with energy during delivery and for nutrition after the baby is born. The brain depends on blood glucose as its main source of energy.
The brain will not function normally if there is not enough glucose. Blood glucose that is very low may result in seizures and serious brain injury. Symptoms of hypoglycemia may not be obvious in newborns.
The following are the most common symptoms of hypoglycemia. However, each baby may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include:. The symptoms of hypoglycemia may look a lot like other conditions or medical problems. Always consult your baby's provider if you notice these changes in your child. Blood tests can diagnose hypoglycemia.
Additional testing may be necessary. Generally, a baby with low blood glucose levels will need treatment. Treatment includes giving the baby a fast-acting source of glucose by mouth or intravenously IV.
