Screening for Hypoglycemia
Prevention is always better than cure. Preventing hypoglycemia begins with identification of maternal, and fetal risk factors and the care provider’s vigilance in instituting hypoglycemia screening in at-risk neonates. Preventing complications of hypoglycemia depends on early recognition of clinical signs associated with hypoglycemia and prompt intervention. The AAP recommends screening at-risk newborns such as SGA, LGA, IDM and latepreterm infants. Healthy term newborns born after a normal, healthy pregnancy need not be screened, but term infants who have symptoms of hypoglycemia require blood glucose measurements as soon as possible.