Abstract
Objective Normal initial blood glucose values in healthy newborns are not well defined and
are subject to controversy. Despite substantive research, there is no single initial
value of glucose that can be used with certainty of safety in newborns, and thus various
protocols and cutoffs have been proposed.
Study Design We sought to characterize the normal values of blood glucose levels in a large cohort
of neonates admitted to the well-baby nursery in Shaare Zedek Medical Center. The
blood glucose levels were measured with a point of care (POC) glucometer (Accu-Chek
Performa) within 180 minutes after birth.
Results The study population included 3,912 newborns with a mean birth weight of 3,322 ± 439 g
and a mean gestational age of 39.4 ± 1.3 weeks. Sampling was performed at a median
age of 73 minutes (interquartile range [IQR], 55–92 minutes). Median glucose concentration
was 58 (IQR, 51–67) mg/dL, and first, third, and fifth percentiles were 34, 39, and
41 mg/dL, respectively.
Conclusion Our data describe the normal range of POC blood glucose levels in healthy neonates
on admission to the nursery. Extreme low levels were rare.
Keywords
capillary blood - glucose - hypoglycemia - neonates
