Hypoglycemia is common in preterm infants in intensive care.

Abstract

The blood glucose concentration was measured once daily during the first five days of life in forty appropriate-for-gestational age preterm infants in intensive care. They received human milk and 10% glucose perorally and intravenously. Moderate hypoglycemia (B-Gluc < 2.5 mmol/l) was common in these infants (42%) during the first three days of life. Four infants had severe hypoglycemia (B-Gluc < 0.6 mmol/l) during the first day of life. These data suggest that screening for hypoglycemia will be needed for optimal treatment in preterm infants in intensive care.