Feasibility of the Use of Point-of-Care Technology to Measure Ketone and Lactate Levels in the Newborn at Risk for Hypoglycemia

Abstract

H ypoglycemia (blood glucose [BG], <2.6 mmol/L) is common in neonates during the first week of life. Although this may be physiologically normal, hypoglycemia can be pathological leading to neurological impairment. All infants therefore considered at risk for hypoglycemia undergo BG monitoring after birth. However, identifying those actually at risk from lowBG levels due to impaired counter regulation is challenging. Medical interventions need to balance the risks from hypoglycemia with the potential harm from medical interventions and the need to separate mother and baby. Development of point-of-care (POC) technology that measures alternative fuels (ketones and lactate) could provide the means to identify those infants at significant risk, while avoiding unnecessary separation.