Oral Glucose Gel for Asymptomatic Neonatal Hypoglycemia: Is It A Sweet Deal?

Abstract

Background: Asymptomatic hypoglycemia is common in certain newborn infants and can require treatment with dextrose-containing intravenous fluids, resulting in transfer from newborn nurseries to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), and maternal-infant separation. 40% oral glucose gel (GG) has been reported to be an effective, non-invasive treatment for asymptomatic hypoglycemia in neonates, often reducing the number of transfers to a higher level of care. Objective: To implement the use of GG to reduce NICU admissions by 20% in infants > 36 week gestation detected to have asymptomatic …