Lower versus traditional treatment threshold for neonatal hypoglycemia

Abstract

Neonatal hypoglycaemia is one of the most common biochemical findings in the newborn period and is an important cause of brain injury. However, despite being so common there is no consensus regarding the glucose threshold concentration at which treatment for asymptomatic neonatal hypoglycemia should be initiated. Neurodevelopmental outcome studies in infants after neonatal hypoglycaemia have been mostly observational, comparing newborns with and without hypoglycaemia, and these studies have reported inconsistent results. Due to the lack of evidence and consensus, there is no consensus screening or treatment protocol, and this leads to both overtreatment and undertreatment with adverse effects on newborn health, bonding of mother–child, and health care costs. Therefore, well-designed clinical trials are required to devise the appropriate treatment strategies.