Blood glucose levels in infancy – clinical significance and accurate measurement

A low blood glucose in a newborn baby is not an uncommon finding, but some controversy remains regarding the definition and clinical significance of neonatal hypoglycaemia. This article describes how application of data from clinical research studies assists our understanding of neonatal metabolic adaptation, and which babies are at risk of the sequelae of hypoglycaemia. In addition the more rare, but more significant, occurrence of hypoglycaemia in older infants is discussed. The mechanisms of development of hyperglycaemia in infants are also described. Finally, the requirement for accurate measurement of blood glucose levels is reinforced.