### Neonatal Hyperglycemia: Causes and Treatments **What is Neonatal Hyperglycemia?** Neonatal hyperglycemia is a condition where a newborn has high blood sugar levels at birth. This condition is less common than neonatal hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) and is defined as either serum glucose of more than 150 mg/dL at birth or whole blood glucose of more than 125 mg/dL at birth. It usually resolves within a few days but can sometimes last up to 10 days. **Causes** There are several potential causes of neonatal hyperglycemia, including: - **Hormonal issues**: Imbalances in hormones that regulate blood sugar. - **Infection**: Infections can disrupt normal blood sugar regulation. - **Neonatal diabetes**: A rare form of diabetes diagnosed within the first 6 months of life, often due to a single-gene mutation. - **Other medical conditions**: Conditions like sepsis or liver problems. **Symptoms** Symptoms of neonatal hyperglycemia can be hard to distinguish because newborns do not have a regular eating or sleeping schedule. Sometimes, there are no symptoms at all. However, symptoms may include: - Unusual lethargy - Poor feeding - Dehydration **Diagnosis** If you suspect your newborn has high blood sugar levels, ask the nurse to check their blood glucose level. A healthy range for neonates is between 70 and 150 mg/dL. If the levels are high, further tests may be conducted to rule out conditions like sepsis or neonatal diabetes. **Treatment** Treatment depends on the severity of the condition: - **No treatment**: Sometimes, the condition resolves on its own within a few days. - **NICU care**: Severe cases may require treatment in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). - **Insulin therapy**: This is controversial and should only be considered if blood glucose levels are at or above 250 mg/dL. Insulin is often administered via continuous subcutaneous insulin injection (CSII). - **Limiting dextrose**: Reducing the amount of dextrose given to infants can help manage blood sugar levels. **Precautions** Over-treating neonatal hyperglycemia with insulin can increase the risk of hypoglycemia, which can have severe adverse health effects, including death if not treated promptly. Therefore, it's crucial to monitor and manage the condition carefully. **Genetic Testing** Clinicians recommend that infants with neonatal hyperglycemia undergo genetic testing for neonatal diabetes, even if the high blood sugar levels resolve on their own. **Conclusion** Neonatal hyperglycemia is a condition that usually resolves within a few days but can sometimes indicate more severe underlying issues. Proper diagnosis and treatment are essential to ensure the health and well-being of the newborn.