THE NEUROLOGICAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL EFFECTS OF NEONATAL HYPOGLYCEMIA: A FOLLOW-UP OF 22 CASES.

Twenty-two infants in whom hypoglycemia (blood sugar less than 20 mg./100 ml.) was noted during the first few days of life were followed up when eight to 30 months of age. In eight such symptoms as muscular tremors, cyanosis, apneic spells and convulsions were associated with the hypoglycemia; five of these had abnormal central nervous system signs and retarded development. One other had possible impairment of development and another had a recurrence of hypoglycemia after having been well for four years. Fourteen of the 22 infants had no symptoms associated with the hypoglycemia, and on follow-up only two of these showed possible impairment. The rest were normal.This preliminary study suggests that hypoglycemia associated with neurological symptoms in the newborn period carries a poor prognosis with respect to permanent neurological damage. Asymptomatic hypoglycemia may have a relatively good prognosis.