Frequency and etiology of persistent neonatal hypoglycemia using the more stringent 2015 Pediatric Endocrine Society hypoglycemia guidelines.

Objective: To determine if there was a significant increase in Endocrine consultations postinitiation of the more stringent 2015 guidelines for persistent neonatal hypoglycemia.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted using data from November 2011 to October 2016. All infants with persistent hypoglycemia past 72 hours of life were included. Data included age, critical sample values, anthropometric measures, and maternal health. Descriptive statistical analyses were performed as was an interrupted time series analysis assuming a Poisson distribution.

Results: Fifty-eight infants were evaluated. Postintervention, there was a significant increase in the number of consults (P<0.03, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14 to 8.93). Most infants with hypoglycemia persisting >72 hours were hypoglycemic shortly after birth. Half had intrauterine growth restriction; 75% were male. The median age for investigation was 8.3 days. Hyperinsulinism was the most common etiology (52/58 infants); diazoxide treatment was utilized in roughly half (29/52 to 56%) with a median duration of treatment for 91 days. The phenotype of the infants and duration of diazoxide pre- and post-Pediatric Endocrine Society protocol did not differ; two infants on diazoxide developed pulmonary hypertension. Mothers were typically of lower socioeconomic status.

Conclusion: Not surprisingly, there was significant increase in the number of infants with persistent hypoglycemia using the 2015 guidelines. Prolonged hyperinsulinism was the major cause; medical management was typically sufficient and typically well tolerated. Care to reduce adverse effects of diazoxide is advised. We postulate that infants diagnosed using the more stringent 2015 guidelines have real disease based on the protracted medical management required.