What to do if your newborn baby has low blood sugar

If a newborn baby has low blood sugar, it is important to conduct a physical examination in time, because this situation is very harmful to the baby and can even be a serious problem. In this case, you must first check it in time and then provide good care, such as starting breastfeeding early. Timely replenishment of glucose can be done by injecting glucose. Let us learn more about this.

What to do if your newborn baby has low blood sugar

Because the effects of hypoglycemia on the brain are difficult to grasp, active treatment measures should be taken even if there are no symptoms.

1. Patients with asymptomatic hypoglycemia and able to eat

For children with hypoglycemia who have no obvious symptoms and can eat, their blood sugar can be increased by feeding and monitored. When feeding does not work to increase blood sugar concentration, glucose can be injected into the newborn.

2. Symptomatic hypoglycemia

Children who already show symptoms of hypoglycemia need direct injection of glucose. If blood sugar levels still do not recover for a long time, medication can be used and the dosage should be adjusted according to changes in blood sugar levels. When using medications for premature infants, the glucose concentration and injection rate should be reduced.

3. Persistent hypoglycemia

Increase the frequency of glucose injections or inject glucagon. If hypoglycemia is diagnosed as islet cell hyperplasia, islet resection can be tried; if persistent hypoglycemia is caused by hyperinsulinemia, medication can be injected; if it is caused by congenital defects, diet can be adjusted.

Daily care for newborns with low blood sugar

1. Early breastfeeding

Start breastfeeding within half an hour after birth, feed once every 2 hours within 24 hours, and feed frequently at night.

2. Supplement glucose

For those who may suffer from hypoglycemia, start supplementing glucose 1 hour after birth. Feed (or nasogastric administration) 10% glucose solution, 5-10 ml/kg each time, once every hour, for 3-4 times.

3. Glucose infusion

For infants weighing less than 2kg, asphyxiated infants, or those who are difficult to resuscitate or have been in resuscitation for a long time, 5% to 10% glucose solution 2 to 6 ml/kg should be given as soon as possible. The concentration of glucose solution infused at this time should not be too high to prevent hyperosmolarity and hyperglycemia.

4. Blood glucose monitoring method

Parents should pay attention to the problem of hypoglycemia in newborns. It is best to take appropriate measures to help the child with treatment. Through breastfeeding and other methods, the problem of hypoglycemia in children can be gradually corrected. If a child has problems with hypoglycemia, they need to be reminded more often during their growth to avoid low blood sugar levels that could affect their health.