Neonatal Hyperglycemia: Causes, Symptoms & Risk Factors

Neonatal hyperglycemia is the clinical term for high blood sugar in newborn babies. It is defined as having a blood sugar level of greater than 120 to 125 mg/dL.

Identification

• Some newborns have no symptoms on hyperglycemia. Others may have symptoms that include fever, dehydration and weight loss.

Risk Factors

• The highest risk factor for neonatal hyperglycemia is low birth weight. Preterm birth is the second greatest risk factor.

Most Common Causes

• Some babies are too small or too premature to be fed traditionally, so they may be fed with an IV. Giving too much glucose in an IV can cause hyperglycemia.

Other Causes

• Neonatal hyperglycemia can also be caused due to excess glucose production or decreased sensitivity to insulin, physical stress, medication, and the amount of fat in the infant's diet.

Effects

• The effects of neonatal hyperglycemia include electrolyte imbalance, bleeding on the brain, breathing complications, fatty liver, dehydration and death.

Treatment

• Treatment for neonatal hyperglycemia include decreasing the amount of glucose given via an IV or by treating the underlying cause of the high blood sugar.