Stress induced hyperglycemia in a term baby mimicking diabetic ketoacidosis with stroke.

Stress/sepsis induced transient hyperglycemia in the newborn may present with extremely high blood sugar values and may mimic neonatal diabetes mellitus. We present a case of neonatal septicemia with stress induced hyperglycemia mimicking neonatal diabetes mellitus. Extremely high blood sugar values upto 1529 mg/dl with metabolic acidosis were noted in a term good weight baby causing a diagnostic dilemma. It can be seen even in term babies, contrary to the belief that it occurs in preterm and small for gestation babies. Considering the prognostic implications it may cause it is important that hyperglycemia is promptly treated by insulin infusion.