Highlights from this issue

Learning from hypoglycamia claims Neonatal hypoglycaemia defined by blood glucose level alone is common, usually asymptomatic and in most cases results in no harm. Cases of neonatal hypoglycemia of sufficient severity to cause brain damage usually involve prolonged symptomatic hypoglycaemia, offering opportunities for intervention to prevent them. In this issue Jane Hawdon and colleagues describe the findings of an analysis of cases of brain damaging hypoglycemia that involved the NHS litigation authority between 2002 and 2011. Key themes emerge, the emphasis of which may help to protect future infants. When hypoglycemia is resulting in clinical signs, the inference is that alternative fuels for brain energy production are also in short supply and the situation is a clinical emergency requiring prompt intervention, frequent measurements and escalation of treatment. Recurring themes included low birthweight, or borderline low birthweight, maternal concerns about feeding behavior or hypothermia and failure to respond to...

Source: Archives of Disease in Childhood - Fetal and Neonatal Edition - February 15, 2017 Category: Perinatology & Neonatology Authors: Stenson, B. Tags: Fantoms Source Type: research