Is moderate to late prematurity an independent risk factor for neonatal hypoglycaemia and subsequent neurodevelopmental impairment?

Neonatal hypoglycaemia is the most frequent metabolic disorder in newborns and is associated with poorer neurodevelopment. Consensuses regarding definition of neonatal hypoglycaemia and management are debated. Infant factors increasing risk of hypoglycaemia include premature birth. This is the first systematic review considering whether moderate to late prematurity is an independent risk factor for hypoglycaemia <2.6mmol/L (<47mg/dL) and associated impact on neurodevelopment.

Dr Darren M Cameron
ST6 (S1) Neonatal GRID Registrar
darren.cameron4@nhs.scot

Dr Lesley Jackson
Consultant Neonatologist

Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow

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Keywords

neonatal hypoglycaemia; preterm; moderate and late prematurity; neonatal neurology; neurodevelopment

Key points

Infant factors increasing the risk of hypoglycaemia include premature birth.
Moderate and late prematurity are defined as 32⁺⁰to 33⁺⁶ and 34⁺⁰ to 36⁺⁶ weeks’ gestation.
Neonatal hypoglycaemia is the most frequent metabolic disorder in infancy.

Also published in Infant:

VOLUME 21 ISSUE 6/DECEMBER 2025

From the cradle to the classroom: Improving educational support for preterm-born children and families

Improving educational support is crucial for improving outcomes and experiences for preterm-born children and their families. Here we present evidence underpinning the need to upskill education professionals and raise awareness of prematurity in the education sector. We describe the work we are doing to improve educational support for children and families and the emerging impact of that work