Hypoglycemia is a condition of blood sugar that falls below normal values. Apart from adults, this condition can occur in babies with various causes. Hypoglycemia in infants can be dangerous if it is not recognized and treated quickly and appropriately.
Hypoglycemia is actually normal in newborns, but usually only lasts a while, and blood sugar levels will increase by themselves in 2-3 hours. The problem and need supervision is when hypoglycemia persists. This is usually caused by certain medical conditions, and can endanger the baby's life.
Various Causes of Hypoglycemia in Babies
Lack of nutritional intake during pregnancy can be a cause of hypoglycemia in infants. Some other conditions that can also cause this condition are:
- Infection
- Asphyxia at birth
- Liver disease
- Congenital metabolic disease
- Too much insulin due to diabetes in pregnant women who are not controlled
- Too much insulin due to pancreatic tumors
In infants, the symptoms of hypoglycemia are sometimes not typical. However, there are some common symptoms that you can recognize, including a baby who looks weak and doesn't want to suckle. In severe conditions, the baby may spasm, stop breathing (apnea), and the lips and nails become bluish (cyanosis).
Risk Factors for Hypoglycemia in Infants
There are several conditions that can increase the risk of hypoglycemia in infants, namely:
1. Babies of diabetics
Pregnant women who have diabetes will experience increased blood sugar levels. This high blood sugar can flow into the baby's blood circulation and trigger insulin production in the baby's body. When the baby is born, glucose intake from the placenta will drop, while insulin levels in the baby's body are still high. This situation will cause hypoglycemia in newborns.
2. Babies are too big or small while in the womb
Large babies for pregnancy (BMK) and small babies for pregnancy (KMK) are equally at risk of developing hypoglycemia at birth. This is because babies with both conditions are usually born by mothers with glucose intolerance.
3. Premature babies or infants
Glycogen reserves are usually only formed in the third trimester of pregnancy, so if the baby is born prematurely, the glycogen supply will be less and more quickly used up. This can increase the risk of hypoglycemia in infants.
4. Older baby (postmature baby)
Babies born past time, that is, after 42 weeks' gestation, are also more at risk of developing hypoglycemia. In pregnancies over 42 weeks, placental function will decrease, so the fetus uses its glycogen reserves. Decreased glycogen reserves will make babies more likely to experience hypoglycemia.
5. Babies who are stressed during pregnancy and childbirth
Stressed fetuses and babies have a high metabolic rate and require more energy than other babies. If nutritional intake is insufficient, babies who experience stress during pregnancy and childbirth will be prone to hypoglycemia.
In addition, several other conditions, such as pregnant women who smoke actively, undergo treatment, such as terbutalin, propanolol, and oral hypoglycemia, and mothers who get intravenous glucose during labor, are also at risk of giving birth to hypoglycemic babies.
Hypoglycemia in infants cannot be underestimated. Several causes and risk factors for hypoglycemia in infants have been described above. To prevent this condition, it is important for pregnant women to maintain their health and always routinely conduct a pregnancy check-up with an obstetrician. The doctor will provide advice and monitoring in accordance with the condition of pregnant women.
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