
September 28, 1999
Hyperglycemia and DKA
Question from Naples, Florida, USA:
Is it normal for IUGR [Intrauterine growth retardation] infants to have hyperglycemia at birth? Can this be resolved completely with IV Therapy without having to check it again? Does hyperglycemia at birth indicate diabetes? Is this rare? Thanks for your help.
Answer:
IUGR babies are commonly hypoglycaemic because they don’t have reserves of body starch (glycogen) or fat. Once they have established feeding, the problem rarely recurs. Some babies will have transient high sugars because of IV fluids/IV feeding. This does not usually indicate diabetes although this can occur. Permanent diabetes coming on in the first week or so of life is very unusual.
KJR