Hypoglycemia and Hyperinsulinism in Infants with Erythroblastosis Fetalis

Abstract

Hypoglycemia was observed in five of 16 (31 per cent) consecutively studied infants with moderate to severe erythroblastosis fetalis. Hyperinsulinemia was documented in each of four infants on whom measurements were made. All infants with erythroblastosis fetalis should have measurements of blood glucose levels in the first hours of life and after exchange transfusion. If hypoglycemia develops in an infant with erythroblastosis fetalis he should be treated with glucose given intravenously.