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ABM Protocols: ABM Clinical Protocol #1: Guidelines for Glucose Monitoring and Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Breastfed Neonates

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ABM Protocol
ABM Clinical Protocol #1:
Guidelines for Blood Glucose Monitoring
and Treatment of Hypoglycemia in Term
and Late-Preterm Neonates, Revised 2014
Nancy Wight,
1,2
Kathleen A. Marinelli,
3,4
and The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine
A central goal of The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine is the development of clinical protocols for managing
common medical problems that may impact breastfeeding success. These protocols serve only as guidelines for the
care of breastfeeding mothers and infants and do not delineate an exclusive course of treatment or serve as standards
of medical care. Variations in treatment may be appropriate according to the needs of an individual patient.
Purpose
T
o provide guidance in the first hours/days of life to:
Prevent clinically significant hypoglycemia in infants
Appropriately monitor blood glucose levels in at-risk
term and late-preterm infants
Manage documented hypoglycemia in infants
Establish and preserve maternal milk supply during
medically necessary supplementation for hypoglycemia
or during separation of mother and baby
Background
Physiology
The term ‘hypoglycemia’ refers to a low blood glucose
concentration. Clinically significant neonatal hypoglycemia
reflects an imbalance between the supply and utilization of
glucose and alternative fuels and may result from several dis-
turbed regulatory mechanisms.
1
Transient hypoglycemia in the
first hours after birth is common, occurring in almost all mam-
malian newborns. In healthy, term human infants, even if early
enteral feeding is withheld, this phenomenon is self-limited,
without clinical signs, and considered to be part of adaptation to
postnatallife,asglucoselevelsspontaneouslyrisewithinthefirst
24 hours after birth (for some, it is even longer but still physio-
logical).
2–6
Mostneonates compensate forthis‘physiological
low blood glucose with endogenous fuel production through
gluconeogenesis, glycogenolysis, and ketogenesis, collectively
called‘counter-regulation.Evenin thosesituationswherelow
blood glucose concentrations do develop secondary to pro-
longed intervals (> 8 hours) between breastfeeding, a marked
ketogenic response occurs. The enhanced capability of the
neonatal brain to utilize ketonebodiesprovides glucose-sparing
fuel to the brain, protecting neurological function.
3,7–9
The
compensatory provision of alternate fuels constitutes a normal
adaptive response to transiently low nutrient intake during the
establishment of breastfeeding,
3,10
resulting in most breastfed
infants tolerating lower plasma glucose levels without any sig-
nificant clinical manifestations or sequelae.
10
No studies have shown that treating transiently low blood
glucose levels results in better short-term or long-term outcomes
compared with no treatment, and in fact there is no evidence at
all that hypoglycemic infants with no clinical signs benefit from
treatment.
11,12
Increases in neurodevelopmental abnormalities
have been found in infants who have hypoglycemia associated
with abnormal clinical signs, especially those with severe, per-
sistent hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia.
11–16
Rozance and
Hay
17
have delineated the conditions that should be present
before consideri ng that long-term neurologic impairment might
be related to neonatal hypoglycemia. Transient, single, brief
periods of hypoglycemia are unlikely to cause permanent
neurologic damage.
18–21
Therefore, the monitoring of blood
glucose concentrations in healthy, term, appropriately grown
neonates is unnecessary and potentially harmful to parental well-
being and the successful establishment of breastfeeding.
18–23
Definition of hypoglycemia
The definition of hypoglycemia in the newborn infant
has remained controversial because of a lack of significant
1
San Diego Neonatology, Inc., San Diego, California.
2
Sharp HealthCare Lactation Services, Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women and Newborns, San Diego, California.
3
Division of Neonatology and The Connecticut Human Milk Research Center, Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, Hartford,
Connecticut.
4
University of Connecticut School of Medicine, Farmington, Connecticut.
BREASTFEEDING MEDICINE
Volume 9, Number 4, 2014
ª Mary Ann Liebert, Inc.
DOI: 10.1089/bfm.2014.9986
173
correlation among plasma glucose concentration, clinical
signs, and long-term sequelae.
10,24,25
An expert panel con-
vened in 2008 by the U.S. National Institutes of Health
concluded that there has been no substantial evidence-based
progress in defining what constitutes clinically important
neonatal hypoglycemia, particularly regarding how it relates
to brain injury.
26
Multiple reviews have concluded that there
is no specific plasma or blood glucose concentration or du-
ration of low blood glucose level that can be linked to either
clinical signs or permanent neurologic injury.
17,25,27
In ad-
dition, blood glucose test results vary enormously with the
source of the blood sample, the assay method, and whether
whole blood, plasma, or serum glucose concentration is de-
termined. Plasma or serum glucose concentrations are 10–15%
higher than in whole blood.
28,29
Breastfed, formula-fed, and mixed-fed infants follow the
samepatternofglucosevalues,withaninitialfallinglucoselevel
overthe first 2 hours of life,followed by a gradual riseinglucose
level over the next 96 hours, whether fed or not.
2,5,6
Artificially
fedinfantstendtohaveslightlyhigherlevelsofglucoseandlower
levels of ketone bodies than breastfed infants.
3,5,18,30–32
The incidence of ‘hypoglycemia’ varies with th e d efi-
nition.
33,34
Many authors have suggested numeric defini-
tions of hypoglycemia, usually between 30 and 50 mg/dL
(1.7–2.8 mmol/L) and varying by postnatal age.
2,5,18,24,26,33,35–38
There i s no scientific justification for the value of < 47 mg/dL
(2.6 mmol/L) that has been adopted by some clinicians.
10,25–27,39
Cornblath et al.
10
summarized the problem as follows:
Significant hypoglycemia is not and cannot be defined as a
single number that can be applied universally to every indi-
vidual patient. Rather, it is characterized by a value(s) that is
unique to each individual and varies with both their state of
physiologic maturity and the influence of pathology
A meta-analysis of studies published from 1986 to 1994
looked at low plasma glucose thresholds in term healthy
newborns who were mostly mixed fed (breastfed and for-
mula-fed) or formula-fed. It presented statistical ranges of
low thresholds for plasma glucose level based on hours after
birth in healthy term infants (Table 1).
40
The authors spe-
cifically noted that given the known lower plasma glu-
cose levels in healthy term breastfed infants as compared
with formula-fed infants, the low thresholds for exclusively
breastfed infants might even be lower. Table 1 gives rec-
ommendations for this timed threshold approach.
This information is translated into guidelines for clinical in-
tervention by the operational treatment guidance of Cornblath
et al.
10
As they stated, an operational threshold is that concen-
tration of plasma or whole blood glucose at which clinicians
should consider intervention, based on the evidence currently
available in the literature (Table 2). It needs to be underscored
that the therapeutic objective (45 mg/dL [2.5 mmol/L]) is dif-
ferentfromthe operationalthreshold forintervention(36 mg/dL
[2.0 mmol/L]), which is different from the population low
thresholds in normal babies with no clinical signs or risk
factors w ho do not need to be treated (Table 1). The higher
therapeutic goal was c hosen to include a significant margin of
safety in the absence of data evaluating the correlation be-
tween glucose levels in this range and long-term outcome in
full-term infants.
10
Given this information, it is clear that routine monitoring
of blood glucose in healthy term infants is not only unnec-
essary, but is instead potentially harmful to the establish-
ment of a healthy mother–infant relationship and successful
breastfeeding patterns.
1,20,22,23,41,42
This recommendation
has been supported by the World Health Organization,
18
the
American Academy of Pediatrics,
1,41
the U.S. National In-
stitutes of Health,
26
and the National Childbirth Trust of the
United Kingdom.
43
These organizations all conclude that (1)
early and exclusive breastfeeding is safe to meet the nutri-
tional needs of healthy term infants and that (2) healthy term
Table 1. Population Low Thresholds:
Plasma Glucose Level
40
Hour(s) after
birth
£ 5
th
percentile plasma
glucose level
1–2 (nadir) 28 mg/dL (1.6 mmol/L)
3–47 40 mg/dL (2.2/mmol/L)
48–72 48 mg/dL (2.7 mmol/L)
Table 2. Operational Thresholds for Treatment of Plasma Glucose Levels
10
Infant Plan/PGL Treatment
Infant with clinical
signs
If < 45 mg/dL
(2.5 mmol/L)
Clinical interventions to increase
blood glucose concentration
Infants with
risk factors
a
Initiate glucose monitoring as
soon as possible after birth,
within 2–3 hours after birth
and before feeding, or at any
time there are abnormal signs.
If plasma glucose concentration
is < 36 mg/dL (2.0 mmol/L),
close surveillance should
be maintained. Intervention
is recommended if plasma
glucose remains below this level,
does not increase after a feed, or
if abnormal clinical signs develop.
Clinical interventions to increase blood glucose
concentration: at very low glucose concentration
(20–25 mg/dL, 1.1–1.4 mmol/L), intravenous
glucose infusion to raise plasma glucose levels
to > 45 mg/dL (2.5 mmol/L) is indicated.
PGL, plasma glucose level.
a
See Table 3.
174 ABM PROTOCOL
infants do not develop clinically significant hypoglycemia
simply as a result of a time-limited duration of underfeeding.
Testing methods
Bedside glucose reagent test strips are inexpensive and
practical but are not reliable, with significant variance from
true blood glucose levels, especially at low glucose concen-
trations.
22,38,44–46
Bedside glucose tests may be used for
screening, but laboratory levels sent STAT (immediate de-
termination, without delay) (e.g., glucose oxidase, hexoki-
nase, or dehydrogenase method) must confirm results before
a diagnosis of hypoglycemia can be made, especially in
infants with no clinical signs.
1,18,22
Other bedside rapid
measurement methods such as reflectance colorimetry and
electrode methods may be more accurate.
47–50
Continuous
subcutaneous glucose monitoring, as is used in diabetic pa-
tients, has been used experimentally in neonates with good
correlation with laboratory glucose values but is not currently
recommended for screening.
51,52
Risk factors for hypoglycemia
Neonates at increased risk for developing neonatal hypo-
glycemia should be routinely monitored for blood glucose
levels irrespective of the mode of feeding. At-risk neonates
fall into two main categories:
1. Excess utilization of glucose, which includes the hy-
perinsulinemic states
2. Inadequate production or substrate delivery
32,53,54
Infant risk factors for hypoglycemia are listed in
Table 3.
3,10,18,19,21,30,32,34,53–56
Clinical manifestations of hypoglycemia
The clinical manifestations of hypoglycemia are nonspe-
cific, occurring with various other neonatal problems. Even in
the presence of an arbitrary low glucose level, the physician
must assess the general status of the infant by observation and
physical examination to rule out other disease entities and
processes that may need additional laboratory evaluation and
treatment. Some common clinical signs are listed in Table 4.
A recent study found that of the 23 maternal/infant risk
factors and infant signs/symptoms studied, only jitteriness
and tachypnea were statistically significant at predicting low
blood glucose—not even maternal diabetes!
57
A diagnosis of
hypoglycemia also requires that signs abate after normogly-
cemia is restored (the exception being if brain injury has
already been sustained).
General Management Recommendations (Table 5)
Any approach to management needs to account for the
overall metabolic and physiologic status of the infant and
should not unnecessarily disrupt the mother–infant relation-
ship and breastfeeding.
1,21
Because severe, prolonged hy-
poglycemia with clinical signs may result in neurologic
injury,
11,14,15,58
immediate intervention is needed for infants
with clinical signs. Several authors have suggested algo-
rithms for screening and treatment.
1,17,26,27,59
(Quality of
evidence [levels of evidence I, II-1, II-2, II-3, and III] is based
on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Appendix A Task
Force Ratings
60
and is noted in parentheses.)
A. Initial management
Early and exclusive breastfeeding meets the nutritional
and metabolic needs of healthy, term newborn infants.
Healthy term infants do not develop clinically significant
hypoglycemia simply as a result of time-limited underfeed-
ing.
18,19,21
(III)
1. Healthy, appropriate weight for gestational age, term
infants should initiate breastfeeding within 30–60
minutes of life and continue breastfeeding on cue, with
Table 3. At-Risk Infants for Whom Routine
Monitoring of Blood Glucose Is Indicated
Small for gestational age: < 10
th
percentile for weight
commonly cited in the United States; < 2
nd
percentile
cited in the United Kingdom as above this considered
small normal
a
Babies with clinically evident wasting of fat and
muscle bulk
LGA: > 90
th
percentile for weight and macrosomic
appearance
b
Discordant twin: weight 10% < larger twin
All infants of diabetic mothers, especially if poorly
controlled
Low birth weight (< 2,500 g)
Prematurity (< 35 weeks, or late preterm infants with
clinical signs or extremely poor feeding)
Perinatal stress: severe acidosis or hypoxia-ischemia
Cold stress
Polycythemia (venous Hct > 70%)/hyperviscosity
Erythroblastosis fetalis
Beckwith–Wiedemann’s syndrome
Microphallus or midline defect
Suspected infection
Respiratory distress
Known or suspected inborn errors of metabolism or
endocrine disorders
Maternal drug treatment (e.g., terbutaline,
beta-blockers, oral hypoglycemics)
Infants displaying signs associated with hypoglycemia
(see Table 4)
a
As per Dr. Jane Hawdon (personal communication).
b
Unnecessary to screen all large for gestational age (LGA) babies.
Glucose monitoring is recommended for infants from maternal
populations who were unscreened for diabetes during the pregnancy
where LGA may represent undiagnosed and untreated maternal
diabetes.
Hct, hematorit.
Table 4. Clinical Manifestations of Possible
Hypoglycemia
Irritability, tremors, jitteriness
Exaggerated Moro reflex
High-pitched cry
Seizures or myoclonic jerks
Lethargy, listlessness, limpness, hypotonia
Coma
Cyanosis
Apnea or irregular breathing
Tachypnea
Hypothermia; temperature instability
Vasomotor instability
Poor suck or refusal to feed
ABM PROTOCOL 175
the recognition that that crying is a very late sign of
hunger.
41,61,62
(III)
2. Initiation and establishment of breastfeeding, and re-
duction of hypoglycemia risk, are facilitated by skin-
to-skin contact between the mother and her infant
immediately after birth for at least the first hour of life
and continuing as much as possible. Such practices
will maintain normal infant body temperature and re-
duce energy expenditure (thus enabling maintenance
of normal blood glucose) while stimulating suckling
and milk production.
31,41
(II-2, III)
3. Feedings should be frequent, at least 10–12 times per
24 hours in the first few days after birth.
41
(III)
However, it is not unusual for term infants to feed
immediately after birth and then sleep quite a long
time (up to 8–12 hours) before they become more
active and begin to suckle with increasing frequency.
They mount protective metabolic responses through-
out this time so it is not necessary to try to force-feed
them. However, an unusually, excessively drowsy
baby must undergo clinical evaluation.
4. Routine supplementation of healthy term infants with
water, glucose water, or formula is unnecessary and
may interfere with the establishment of normal
breastfeeding and normal metabolic compensatory
mechanisms.
3,30,41,43
(II-2, III)
B. Blood glucose screening
Glucose screening should be performed only on at-risk
infants and those with clinical signs compatible with hypo-
glycemia. Early breastfeeding is not precluded just because
the infant meets the criteria for glucose monitoring.
1. At-risk infants should be screened for hypoglycemia
with a frequency and duration related to the specific risk
factors of the individual infant.
1,19
(III) Monitoring
should begin no later than 2 hours of age for infants in
risk categories.
1
Hawdon
63
recommended blood glu-
cose monitoring should commence before the second
feeding (i.e., not so soon after birth that the physiologic
fall in blood glucose level causes confusion and over-
treatment). (III)
2. Monitoring should continue until acceptable, prefeed
levels are consistently obtained, meaning until the in-
fant has had at least two consecutive satisfactory mea-
surements.
63
A reasonable (although arbitrary) goal is to
maintain plasma glucose concentrations between 40 and
50 mg/dL (between 2.2and 2.8 mmol/L)
1
or > 45 mg/dL
(2.5 mmol/L).
10
(III)
3. Bedside glucose screening tests must be confirmed by
formal laboratory testing, although treatment should
begin immediately in infants with clinical signs.
Table 5 summarizes these recommendations.
Management of Documented Hypoglycemia (Table 6)
A. Infant with no clinical signs (absence of clinical
signs can only be determined by careful clinical review)
1. Continue breastfeeding (approximately every 1–2
hours) or feed 1–3 mL/kg (up to 5 mL/kg)
18
of ex-
pressed breastmilk or substitute nutrition (pasteurized
donor human milk, elemental formulas, partially hy-
drolyzed formulas, or routine formulas). Glucose wa-
ter is not suitable because of insufficient energy and
lack of protein. Recent reports of mothers with dia-
betes expressing and freezing colostrum prenatally
(beginning at 34–36 weeks of gestation) to have it
available after birth to avoid artificial feedings should
their infant become hypoglycemic are mixed in terms
of association with earlier births, and currently this
procedure is not widely recommended.
64–68
(III)
Table 5. General Management Recommendations
for All Term Infants
A. Early and exclusive breastfeeding meets the nutritional
and metabolic needs of healthy, term newborn infants.
1. Routine supplementation is unnecessary.
2. Initiate breastfeeding within 30–60 minutes of life and
continue on demand.
3. Facilitate skin-to-skin contact of mother and infant.
4. Feedings should be frequent, 10–12 times per 24 hours
in the first few days after birth.
B. Glucose screening is performed only on at-risk infants or
infants with clinical signs.
1. Routine monitoring of blood glucose in all term
newborns is unnecessary and may be harmful.
2. At-risk infants should be screened for hypoglycemia
with a frequency and duration related to the specific
risk factors of the individual infant.
3. Monitoring continues until normal, prefeed levels are
consistently obtained.
4. Bedside glucose screening tests must be confirmed by
formal laboratory testing.
Table 6. Management of Documented Hypoglycemia
A. Infant with no clinical signs
1. Continue breastfeeding (approximately every 1–2
hours) or feed 1–5 mL/kg of expressed breastmilk or
substitute nutrition.
2. Recheck blood glucose concentration before subse-
quent feedings until the value is acceptable and stable.
3. Avoid forced feedings (see above).
4. If the glucose level remains low despite feedings,
begin intravenous glucose therapy.
5. Breastfeeding may continue during intravenous glu-
cose therapy.
6. Carefully document response to treatment.
B. Infant with clinical signs or plasma glucose levels < 20–
25 mg/dL (< 1.1–1.4 mmol/L)
1. Initiate intravenous 10% glucose solution with a mini-
bolus.
2. Do not rely on oral or intragastric feeding to correct
extreme or clinically significant hypoglycemia.
3. The glucose concentration in infants who have had
clinical signs should be maintained at > 45 mg/dL
(> 2.5 mmol/L).
4. Adjust intravenous rate by blood glucose concentra-
tion.
5. Encourage frequent breastfeeding.
6. Monitor glucose concentrations before feedings while
weaning off the intravenous treatment until values
stabilize off intravenous fluids.
7. Carefully document response to treatment.
176 ABM PROTOCOL
2. Recheck blood glucose concentration before subsequent
feedings until the value is acceptable and stable (usu-
ally > 40 mg/dL [2.2 mmol/L]). If staff is unavailable to
check blood glucose and an infant has no clinical signs,
breastfeeding should never be unnecessarily delayed
while waiting for the blood glucose level to be checked.
3. If the infant is simply worn out and not otherwise ill,
nasogastric feeds of human milk can be initiated,
watching carefully for signs of intolerance or evidence
of significant underlying illness. If the neonate is too ill
to suck or enteral feedings are not tolerated, avoid
forced oral feedings (e.g., nasogastric tube) and instead
begin intravenous (IV) therapy (see below). Such an
infant is not normal and requires a careful examination
and evaluation in addition to more intensive therapy.
Term babies should not be given nasogastric feedings.
They are much more likely to fight and aspirate.
4. If the glucose level remains low despite feedings, be-
gin IV glucose therapy and adjust the IV rate by blood
glucose concentration. Avoid bolus doses of glucose
unless blood glucose is unrecordable or there are se-
vere clinical signs (e.g., seizures or coma). If a bolus
dose is given, use 2 mL/kg of glucose in 10% dextrose
preparation.
5. Breastfeeding should continue during IV glucose
therapy when the infant is interested and will suckle.
Gradually wean from the IV glucose as the serum
glucose level normalizes and feedings increase.
6. Carefully document physical examination, screening
values, laboratory confirmation, treatment, and chan-
ges in clinical condition (i.e., response to treatment).
7. The infant should not be discharged until reasonable
levels of blood glucose are maintained through a fast
of 3–4 hours. Monitoring must be recommenced if
there are adverse changes in feeding.
B. Infants with clinical signs or with plasma glucose
levels < 20–25 mg/dL ( < 1.1–1.4 mmol/L)
1. Initiate IV 10% glucose solution with a bolus of 2 mL/kg
and continuous IV treatment at 5–8 mg/kg/minute.
2. Do not rely on oral or intragastric feeding to correct
extreme or symptomatic hypoglycemia. Such an infant
most likely has an underlying condition and, in addi-
tion to IV glucose therapy, requires an immediate and
careful examination and evaluation.
3. The glucose concentration in infants with clinical signs
should be maintained at > 45 mg/dL (> 2.5 mmol/L).
4. Adjust the IV rate by blood glucose concentration.
5. Encourage frequent breastfeeding after initiation of IV
therapy.
6. Monitor glucose concentrations before feedings while
gradually weaning from the IV solution, until values
are stabilized off IV fluids.
7. Carefully document physical examination, screening
values, laboratory confirmation, treatment, and chan-
ges in clinical condition (i.e., response to treatment).
Supporting the Mother
Giving birth to an infant who develops hypoglycemia is of
concern to both the mother and family and thus may jeop-
ardize the establishment of breastfeeding. Mothers should be
explicitly reassured that there is nothing wrong with their
milk and that supplementation is usually temporary. Having
the mother hand-express or pump milk that is then fed to her
infant can overcome feelings of maternal inadequacy as well
as help establish a full milk supply. It is important for the
mother to provide stimulation to the breasts by manual or
mechanical expression with appropriate frequency (at least
eight times in 24 hours) until her baby is latching and suck-
ling well to protect her milk supply. Keeping the infant at
breast or returning the infant to the breast as soon as possible
is important. Skin-to-skin care is easily accomplished with an
IV line in place and may lessen the trauma of intervention,
while also providing physiologic thermoregulation, thus
contributing to metabolic homeostasis.
Recommendations for Future Research
1. Well-planned, well-controlled studies are needed that
look at plasma glucose concentrations, clinical signs,
and long-term sequelae to determine what levels of
blood glucose are the minimum safe levels.
2. The development and implementation of more reliable
bedside testing methods would increase the efficiency
of diagnosis and treatment of significant glucose ab-
normalities.
3. Studies to determine a clearer understanding of the
role of other glucose-sparing fuels and the methods to
measure them in a clinically meaningful way and time
frame are required to aid in understanding which ba-
bies are truly at risk of neurologic sequelae and thus
must be treated.
4. For those infants who do become hypoglycemic, re-
search into how much enteral glucose, and in what
form, is necessary to raise blood glucose to acceptable
levels is important for clinical management.
5. Randomized controlled studies of prenatal colostrum
expression and storage for mothers with infants at risk
of hypoglycemia are important to determine if this is a
practical and safe treatment modality.
Summary
Healthy term infants are programmed to make the tran-
sition from their intrauterine constant flow of nutrients to
their extrauterine intermittent nutrient intake without the
need for metabolic monitoring or interference with the
natural breastfeeding process. Homeostatic mechanisms
ensure adequate energy substrate is provided to the brain
and other organs, even when feedings are delayed. The
normal pattern of early, frequent, and exclusive breast-
feeding meets the needs of healthy term infants.
Routine screening and supplementation are not necessary
and may harm the normal establishment of breastfeeding.
Current evidence does not support a specific blood concen-
tration of glucose that correlates with signs or that can predict
permanent neurologic damage in any given infant. At-risk
infants should be screened, followed up as needed, and treated
with supplementation or IV glucose if there are clinical signs
or suggested thresholds are reached. Bedside screening is
helpful, but not always accurate, and should be confirmed with
laboratory glucose measurement. A single low glucose value is
not associated with long-term neurological abnormalities,
ABM PROTOCOL 177
provided the treating clinician can be assured that the baby was
entirely well up until the time of the low value. Hypoglycemic
encephalopathy and poor long-term outcome are extremely
unlikely in infants with no clinical signs and are more likely in
infants who manifest clinical signs and/or with persistent or
repeated episodes of severe hypoglycemia.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported in part by a grant from the Ma-
ternal and Child Health Bureau, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services.
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ABM protocols expire 5 years from the date of publication.
Evidence-based revisions are made within 5 years or sooner
if there are significant changes in the evidence.
The Academy of Breastfeeding Medicine Protocol Committee
Kathleen A. Marinelli, MD, FABM, Chairperson
Maya Bunik, MD, MSPH, FABM, Co-Chairperson
Larry Noble MD, FABM, Translations Chairperson
Nancy Brent, MD
Amy E. Grawey, MD
Alison V. Holmes, MD, MPH, FABM
Ruth A. Lawrence, MD, FABM
Tomoko Seo, MD, FABM
Julie Scott Taylor, MD, MSc, FABM
For correspondence: abm@bfmed.org
ABM PROTOCOL 179
... -При энтеральном питании и отсутствии симптомов гипогликемии (клинических и лабораторных) в течение 12 ч первых суток жизни контроль за концентрацией глюкозы крови можно проводить каждые 4 ч; последующий контроль со 2-х суток продолжается до документирования нормальных значений концентрации глюкозы крови (>2,6 ммоль/л) не менее чем в трех последовательных анализах, забранных до кормления [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. ...
... После последнего низкого значения концентрации глюкозы крови и последующей нормогликемии контроль необходимо продолжать перед каждым кормлением на протяжении не менее 12 ч. Можно прекратить мониторинг глюкозы крови, если гликемия превышает 2,6 ммоль/л в течение 24 ч на фоне энтерального питания и новорожденному не требуется внутривенная инфузия растворов глюкозы [12][13][14][15][16][17][18]. ...
... -На фоне терапии проводится мониторинг глюкозы крови: первый контроль -через 30 мин после начала инфузии, затем каждые 1-2 ч до документирования гликемии >2,2 ммоль/л несколькими измерениями (не менее 2-3 измерений), в последующем каждые 4-6 ч на фоне постепенной отмены терапии, если симптомы гипогликемии не повторялись в течение 24-48 ч [7,[13][14][15][16][17]. ...
Article
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Hypoglycemia in the neonatal period is one of the urgent problems of pediatric endocrinology. The main factors that lead to disruption of carbohydrate homeostasis are generally known, but the issues of neonatal hypoglycemia continue to be actively studied. In the last few years, the effect of low blood glucose on brain neurons has been studied, the issues of glycemia monitoring in the first days of life have been outlined, and strategies for managing newborns with hypoglycemic syndrome are being discussed.
... Disruption of the establishment and duration of breastfeeding can result in increased risk of infections and allergies, and alterations in the neonatal microbiome [16]. The use of infant formula may decrease a mother's confidence in her own breast milk and breastfeeding ability, potentially reducing the chance of successful breastfeeding, and also the duration of breastfeeding [34,35]. This is of particular importance in our growing population of diabetic mothers, as mothers who continue breastfeeding decrease the risk of their child experiencing metabolic disorders later in life [35,36]. ...
... The use of infant formula may decrease a mother's confidence in her own breast milk and breastfeeding ability, potentially reducing the chance of successful breastfeeding, and also the duration of breastfeeding [34,35]. This is of particular importance in our growing population of diabetic mothers, as mothers who continue breastfeeding decrease the risk of their child experiencing metabolic disorders later in life [35,36]. A consistent result from studies on the use of glucose gel is the improvement in exclusive breastfeeding rates [10,20,27,30,37]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Infant formula is often used as a treatment for neonatal hypoglycaemia in Australia; however, there are concerns that this may jeopardise mother-baby bonding and breastfeeding. Successful use of glucose gel as an alternative treatment for hypoglycaemia has been reported. We wanted to investigate in a pilot study whether the use of glucose gel has the potential to quickly and safely restore normoglycaemia in the infants of diabetic mothers in an Australian setting. Infants with asymptomatic hypoglycaemia were treated with glucose gel (n = 36) and compared to a historical group of infants which had been treated with infant formula (n = 24). Within 15 min of the first treatment, the gel group had a mean blood glucose level (BGL) of 2.6 mmol/L, and 2.7 mmol/L 30 min after the second treatment. This was lower than the BGL after the first treatment for the formula group, which rose to a mean of 2.8 then to 3.2 mmol/L after the second treatment (p = 0.003). In successfully treated infants, administration of the gel resulted in normoglycaemia within 30 min. The likelihood of special care nursery admission was not significantly different between the groups, although we had a small sample size, and our findings should be interpreted with caution. These pilot results provide support for further investigations into the use of glucose gel as an alternative treatment to infant formula.
... Supplementary Materials: The following supporting information can be downloaded at: https: //www.mdpi.com/article/10.3390/jcm12072580/s1, References [23,148,[164][165][166][167] are cited in the supplementary materials. Data Availability Statement: Additional information on the data may be requested from the coresponsible author. ...
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Cerebral excitability and systemic metabolic balance are closely interconnected. Energy supply to neurons depends critically on glucose, whose fluctuations can promote immediate hyperexcitability resulting in acute symptomatic seizures. On the other hand, chronic disorders of sugar metabolism (e.g., diabetes mellitus) are often associated with long-term epilepsy. In this paper, we aim to review the existing knowledge on the association between acute and chronic glycaemic imbalances (hyper- and hypoglycaemia) with seizures and epilepsy, especially in the developing brain, focusing on clinical and instrumental features in order to optimize the care of children and adolescents and prevent the development of chronic neurological conditions in young patients.
... The management of asymptomatic NH, however, remains less clear due to variations in specific recommended blood glucose thresholds for intervention and variety of available therapies, including transfer to higher levels of care for initiation of IV fluids or closer monitoring [2][3][4][5]. This transfer results in the separation of the mother-infant dyad, disruption of breastfeeding goals, and often leads to more invasive interventions for the infant [6]. ...
Article
Full-text available
To study the effects of a supplementation-based hypoglycemia guideline including donor (DM) on NICU admission, exclusive breastfeeding, and blood glucose concentrations in infants at-risk for neonatal hypoglycemia (NH). We integrated DM, feeding supplementation, and reduced frequency of blood glucose testing into an NH bundle for term and late-preterm newborns. We then examined NICU admission rates and rates of exclusive breastfeeding at discharge. NICU admission rates were reduced to 6% (−10%). Exclusive breastfeeding rates increased to 55% (+22%). Median cost of DM utilization was $13.73 per patient with an average volume of 50.8 ml/infant. DM supplementation resulted in similar times to last hypoglycemic episode and greater increases in blood glucose compared to expressed breast milk or breastfeeding alone (+9.6 mg/dL, p < 0.05). A supplementation-based hypoglycemia guideline including donor milk may be an effective way to reduce NICU admissions for asymptomatic hypoglycemia and support mothers in achieving breastfeeding goals.
... However, the diagnosis of NH may also require transfer of asymptomatic infants to higher levels of care for initiation of IV fluids or more frequent monitoring of blood glucose. This transfer of infants separates the mother-infant dyad, interrupts breastfeeding goals, and leads to more invasive interventions for the infant [3]. ...
Article
Full-text available
Objective: Early feeding, skin-to-skin contact, and dextrose gel have been independently shown to promote breastfeeding and decrease NICU admission for neonatal hypoglycemia. We combined these interventions to decrease NICU admissions for asymptomatic hypoglycemia and increase exclusive breastfeeding rates. Project design: The IHI Model for Improvement was used to design a bundle including feeding within 1 h of birth, 1 h of uninterrupted skin-to-skin within 2 h of birth, and administration of buccal 40% dextrose gel for hypoglycemic infants. Results: Utilization of dextrose gel was 94% following implementation. There were no trends in exclusive breastfeeding at discharge or NICU admissions for asymptomatic hypoglycemia. Post hoc multivariate analysis identified cesarean delivery as an independent risk factor for compliance failure and failure of exclusive breastfeeding but not for NICU admission. Conclusions: Despite high compliance with dextrose gel utilization, there was no change in exclusive breastfeeding at discharge or NICU admission rates for asymptomatic hypoglycemia.
... with proper feeding practices, may interfere with successful establishment of breast feeding even in healthy babies without any risk factors. 6 Hence, authors conducted this study to see the incidence of hypoglycaemia in both term and preterm low birth babies who are exclusively breast fed in first 72 hours of life. ...
Article
Full-text available
Background: Neonatal hypoglycaemia, a common metabolic problem, often goes unnoticed owing to lack of specific symptoms. It can lead to considerable mortality and morbidity with long term neurological sequelae. Adequate breast feeding play an important role in maintaining normal glucose levels. So, this study is done to assess the incidence of hypoglycaemia in exclusively breast fed low birth weight babies, both term and preterm neonates and evaluate the impact of early breast feeding on glycaemic status upto 72 hours of life.Methods: This study was conducted over 12 month period involving 236 AGA (Appropriate for gestational age), SGA (Small for gestational age) babies with birth weight between 1.6-2.49 kg. Blood glucose values were measured at birth, 3h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 48h and 72h of life after delivery which was independent of feeding time. Hypoglycaemia was assessed against age of onset, gestational age, sex of baby, mode of delivery and time of initiation of breast feeding.Results: Total 56 episodes of hypoglycaemia were recorded in 52 babies of which 46 (27%) were term SGA babies and 6(8%) were preterm AGA babies (p=0.00148). The incidence of hypoglycaemia was found to be 22%, highest during the first 24 hours of life (93%) and delayed breast feeding is the most commonly noted risk factor (p=0.00024).Conclusions: Low birth babies are more prone to develop hypoglycaemia especially in first 24 hours of life with delayed introduction of breast feeding being one of the common risk factors and asymptomatic hypoglycaemia can be managed with frequent breast feeding without any formula feeds.
... As there is lack of significant correlation between plasma glucose concentration, clinical symptoms and long-term sequelae, the definition of hypoglycaemia in the neonates has remained controversial. 3 The operational threshold for hypoglycaemia is currently believed to be a blood glucose value of <40mg/dl (plasma glucose <45mg/dl). 4 Mothers are often in dilemma and apprehensive whether new-borns at risk for hypoglycaemia, like neonates of diabetic mothers, large for gestation age, low birth weight and late-preterm neonates, could be sustained on exclusive breast feeding. ...
Article
Background: Neonatal hypoglycemia is a very common metabolic disorder which is due to inability to maintain a normal glucose homeostasis. The most effective method of preventing hypoglycemia is early breast feeding which is preferred to formula feeding. Therefore, author conducted this study to document incidence of hypoglycemia both symptomatic and asymptomatic in exclusively fed with breast milk, low birth weight neonates who are appropriate for gestational age. Aims and objectives of this study was to determine incidence of hypoglycaemia in first 72 hrs of life in low birth weight neonates (1500-2499gm) who are appropriate for gestational age and who are exclusively fed with breast milk.Methods: Prospective cohort study conducted in between December 2015 to November 2017 in which 150 consecutive neonates with a birth weight between 1500 to 2499 grams and appropriate for gestational age, being fed exclusively with breast milk were studied.Results: Out of 150 neonates, 36 (24%) developed one episode of hypoglycemia, 14 (9.4%) newborns had recurrent episodes while 13 (8.66%), and 1 (0.7%) newborn had two and three episodes of hypoglycemia respectively. Applying a cut-off of blood glucose level of 40 mg/dl, the incidence of hypoglycemia was 24%. The less is the gestational age there is higher chance of occurrence of hypoglycemia. PIH is the most common maternal risk factor for neonatal hypoglycemia. Incidence of hypoglycemia is highest during the first 24hrs after birth and jitteriness is the most common symptom of neonatal hypoglycemia.Conclusions: Healthy new-borns in postnatal wards can be exclusively breastfed, but there is needing to closely monitor their blood glucose levels at least in first 72 hrs and asymptomatic hypoglycaemia in new-borns can be managed with frequent breastfeeding without any formula feeds.
Article
Background: In-hospital formula feeding (IHFF) of breastfed infants is associated with shorter duration of breastfeeding. Despite evidence-based guidelines on when IHFF is appropriate, many infants are given formula unnecessarily during the postpartum hospital stay. To account for selection bias inherent in observational data, in this study, we estimate liberal and conservative bounds for the association between hospital formula feeding and duration of breastfeeding. Methods: Infants enrolled in the Minnesota Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children were selected. Breastfed infants given formula were matched with infants exclusively breastfed (n = 5310) by using propensity scoring methods to adjust for potential confounders. Cox regression of the matched sample was stratified on feeding status. A second, more conservative analysis (n = 4836) was adjusted for medical indications for supplementation. Results: Hazard ratios (HR) for weaning increased across time. In the first analysis, the HR across the first year was 6.1 (95% confidence interval [CI] 4.9-7.5), with HRs increasing with age (first month: HR = 4.1 [95% CI 3.5-4.7]; 1-6 months: HR = 8.2 [95% CI 5.6-12.1]; >6 months: HR = 14.6 [95% CI 8.9-24.0]). The second, more conservative analysis revealed that infants exposed to IHFF had 2.5 times the hazard of weaning compared with infants who were exclusively breastfed (HR = 2.5; 95% CI 1.9-3.4). Conclusions: IHFF was associated with earlier weaning, with infants exposed to IHFF at 2.5 to 6 times higher risk in the first year than infants exclusively breastfed. Strategies to reduce IHFF include prenatal education, peer counseling, hospital staff and physician education, and skin-to-skin contact.
Article
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Background Women with diabetes are sometimes advised to express breast milk antenatally to prepare for breastfeeding and to store colostrum for infant feeding in preventing or treating hypoglycaemia after the birth. The acceptability, risks and benefits of this practice have not been evaluated. This was aimed to investigate the pattern of antenatal breast expression uptake and its relationship with birth outcomes in women with diabetes. Methods This was part of a two year retrospective cohort study of pregnant women with diabetes (type 1, 2 and gestational diabetes) who gave birth during 2001–2003 in Derby Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (n = 94). The information on the practice of antenatal breastfeeding expression and birth outcomes was collected via self-administered questionnaires and by examining maternity records. Results Thirty-seven percent of women (35/94) recalled that they were advised to express antenatally and 17% did (16/94). The mean gestational age at birth for women who hand-expressed was lower than that for those who did not (mean difference (MD) (95% confidence intervals (CI)): -1.2 (−2.4 to 0.04), p = 0.06). A higher proportion of babies from the antenatal expression group were admitted to special care baby units (SCBU) (MD (95% CI): 21% (−3.9 to 46.3). Conclusions Less than half the women who stated that they were advised to express, did so. There seems to be an indication that antenatal breast milk expression and lower gestational age at birth are associated. The trend of a higher rate of SCBU admission for babies from the breast milk expression group compared to those who did not express antenatally is of concern. An appropriately-powered randomised controlled trial is needed to determine the safety of this practice and its acceptability to women and health professionals before it can be recommended for implementation in practice.
Article
Full-text available
Routine blood glucose screening is recommended for babies at risk of neonatal hypoglycemia. However, the incidence of hypoglycemia in those screened is not well described. We sought to determine the incidence of hypoglycemia in babies identified as being at risk, and also to determine differences in incidence between at risk groups. Infants (n = 514) were recruited who were born in a tertiary hospital, ≥35 weeks gestation and identified as at risk of hypoglycemia (small, large, infant of a diabetic, late-preterm, and other). Blood glucose screening used a standard protocol and a glucose oxidase method of glucose measurement in the first 48 hours after birth. One-half of the babies (260/514, 51%) became hypoglycemic (<2.6 mM), 97 (19%) had severe hypoglycemia (≤2.0 mM), and 98 (19%) had more than 1 episode. The mean duration of an episode was 1.4 hours. Most episodes (315/390, 81%) occurred in the first 24 hours. The median number of blood glucose measurements for each baby was 9 (range 1-22). The incidence and timing of hypoglycemia was similar in all at risk groups, but babies with a total of 3 risk factors were more likely to have severe hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia is common amongst babies recommended for routine blood glucose screening. We found no evidence that screening protocols should differ in different at risk groups, but multiple risk factors may increase severity. The significance of these hypoglycemic episodes for long-term outcome remains undetermined.
Article
Full-text available
Hypoglycemia in a neonate is defined as blood sugar value below 40 mg/dL. It is commonly associated with a variety of neonatal conditions like prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction and maternal diabetes. Screening for hypoglycemia in high-risk situations is recommended. Supervised breast-feeding may be an initial treatment option in asymptomatic hypoglycemia. However, symptomatic hypoglycemia should always be treated with a continuous infusion of parenteral dextrose. Neonates needing dextrose infusion rates above 12 mg/kg/min should be investigated for a definite cause of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia has been linked to poor neuro-developmental outcome, and hence aggressive screening and treatment is recommended.
Article
Differing risk factors, biological variability, and lack of high-quality research studies lead to the impossibility of "genuine evidence-based clinical guidelines" for neonatal hypoglycemia. However, texts to date have described a pragmatic approach that, in the absence of high-quality evidence, should be adopted. Understanding of normal physiology should also inform practice. Blood glucose levels fall in the hours after birth in all infants. For most, the normal process of neonatal metabolic adaptation initiates glucose release and production, as well as the mobilization of alternative fuels (eg, ketone bodies) from stores so that the physiologic fall in blood glucose is tolerated.However, some infants are at risk of impaired neonatal metabolic adaptation in that blood glucose levels may not rise and the protective metabolic responses do not occur. For these infants, it is important to prevent hypoglycemia, to recognize clinically significant hypoglycemia, and to manage this situation without causing unnecessary separation of mother and infant or disruption of breastfeeding. Investigations for the underlying cause of hypoglycemia should be performed if hypoglycemia is persistent, resistant, or unexpected. © 2014 by the American Academy of Pediatrics. All rights reserved.
Article
Almost 50 years after it was first described, neonatal hypoglycemia remains a commonly encountered clinical problem, particularly among high-risk populations such as preterm infants and infants who experience intrauterine growth restriction. As the articles in this issue demonstrate, our understanding of the metabolic disturbances and genetic defects underlying alterations in neonatal glucose homeostasis has increased dramatically over the past 50 years. However, the growth of knowledge has, if anything, led us farther from an answer to the burning question regarding blood glucose concentrations in the newborn: “How low is too low?” It is clear from all three articles that there is no single answer to this question. The glucose concentration at which physiologic disturbances occur differ between the healthy breastfed term infant who has significant levels of circulating ketone bodies and the infant who has hyperinsulinemia and cannot produce ketones or release stored glycogen from the liver. Unfortunately, our ability to monitor levels of alternate fuels and metabolic demand has not progressed as rapidly as our …
Article
Objective: to critically review literature related to the practice of antenatal breast expression (ABE) and the reasons for this practice. Method: a critical review of available literature was undertaken by accessing Internet and library resources. Articles were to be documented in English. No restrictions were placed on dates due to the important historical background of this topic. Keywords used to refine the search included antenatal breast expression, colostrum, antenatal breast-feeding education and midwives and International Board Certified Lactation Consultants (IBCLC). Findings: the literature search discovered ABE has been performed historically to prepare breasts for breast-feeding postnatally. It is presently being taught to store colostrum to prevent neonatal hypoglycaemia or hasten production of Lactogenesis 2. Studies relating to nipple stimulation were also critically appraised due to concerns of premature labour. Conclusions: the safety and efficacy of ABE has yet to be demonstrated. The three studies related to the benefits teaching of this skill were small in size with methodological flaws. Trials related to nipple stimulation were also found to have substantial limitations. The reasons for and physicality of performing ABE vs. nipple stimulation differed markedly. While recent teaching of ABE has been encouraged through available commentaries, case studies and policies (in view of the documented positive effects of early colostrum administration), the benefits of this practice are yet to be substantiated. Implications for practice: large, credible RCTs are needed to confirm efficacy and safety of this technique. A survey exploring the prevalence of ABE practices is also indicated and to explore the information currently provided by midwives to women in their care.
Article
LEVELS of total reducing substance, true sugar and glucose have been measured in the blood of newborn infants since 1911. The early reports have been reviewed by Norval et al.1 , 2 Although an extensive literature exists, there is still disagreement over which levels of blood sugar are normal in the neonate and which are hypoglycemic or hyperglycemic. Much of this confusion results from differences in technics in collecting, precipitating and analyzing the sugar, as well as the duration of fasting before sampling. An attempt will be made to explain the differences in reported results, to present current data for normal ranges . . .
Article
This report provides a practical guide and algorithm for the screening and subsequent management of neonatal hypoglycemia. Current evidence does not support a specific concentration of glucose that can discriminate normal from abnormal or can potentially result in acute or chronic irreversible neurologic damage. Early identification of the at-risk infant and institution of prophylactic measures to prevent neonatal hypoglycemia are recommended as a pragmatic approach despite the absence of a consistent definition of hypoglycemia in the literature.