Let's look at some of the most common problems seen with this population. Glucose homeostasis is not only important for brain function, it also plays a role in thermoregulation.
When a newborn becomes hypoglycemic, it utilizes brown fat stores to maintain homeostasis; with this is the attempt to maintain thermoregulation. This results in more glucose utilization.
It becomes a cycle of cold, hypoglycemia, and the requirement to take in nutrition such as breast feeding, which again requires energy expenditure.
Today, I would like you to consider other consequences of hypoglycemia in the late preterm newborn.
Some of the consequences of hypoglycemia in the late preterm infant besides hypothermia, is weight loss, apnea, seizures if the glucose drops significantly and neurological delays
ReplyDelete(UCSF, 2004). With blood glucose below 30mg/dL within the first 24 hours of life, and less than 45mg/dL after 24 hours, many of these infants become at risk for brain damage which results in mental and developmental delays.
One of the most important nursing interventions is to monitor heelstick blood glucoses as well as serum glucose levels. It is also important to have the infant eat immediately in order to get the glucose level up. Close observation is of dire importance in order to prevent hypothermia, seizures and respiratory difficulties.
Judi
Reference
University of California San Francisco Children's Hospital. (2004). Neonatal hypoglycemia. Intensive Care NurseryHouse Staff Manual. Retrieved from http://www.ucsfbenioffchildrens.org/pdf/manuals/52_Hypoglycemia.pdf