What is given in case of Hypoglycaemia in a newborn?

UP CHO - 2018

Child Health Nursing (Pediatrics)

Medium

Appeared in: UP CHO - 2018

Explanation

Glucose is the correct and standard medical treatment for hypoglycemia in newborns.
For symptomatic newborns (showing signs like jitteriness, lethargy, or seizures), intravenous (IV) 10% Dextrose (a form of glucose) is administered for rapid correction.
For asymptomatic newborns who are at risk, treatment often begins with encouraging early and frequent feeding or administering an oral glucose gel.
The goal is to rapidly normalize blood glucose levels to prevent potential neurological injury, as the brain is highly dependent on glucose for energy.

Option A: Honey is strictly contraindicated in infants under 1 year old due to the risk of infant botulism, a potentially fatal illness caused by Clostridium botulinum spores that may be present in honey.
Option B: Juice is not appropriate for newborns. Their digestive systems are immature, and juice does not provide the standardized, rapid-acting glucose concentration needed for effective treatment. It also poses a risk of aspiration.
Option D: This option is incorrect because two of the choices, honey and juice, are inappropriate and dangerous for a newborn.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Management of Neonatal Hypoglycemia as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Prompt recognition and treatment of neonatal hypoglycemia are critical nursing responsibilities to prevent long-term neurological damage, including developmental delays and seizures.
Nurses must be vigilant in monitoring at-risk infants (e.g., those born to diabetic mothers, premature, or small for gestational age) for subtle signs of hypoglycemia like jitteriness, poor feeding, or temperature instability.
Patient education is key: Nurses must educate parents about why giving honey or other home remedies to an infant is dangerous.

How to Approach the Question

First, identify the core of the question: it asks for the correct treatment for hypoglycemia in a specific patient population (a newborn).
Evaluate each option based on safety and appropriateness for a neonate.
Recall or deduce that newborns have unique physiological needs and vulnerabilities. Their digestive systems are immature, and their immune systems are not fully developed.
Consider the option 'Glucose'. This is a medical-grade substance used to correct low blood sugar. It is a plausible answer.
Consider 'Honey'. Recall the well-known contraindication of honey for infants under 1 year due to the risk of botulism. This makes it an incorrect and dangerous option.
Consider 'Juice'. Think about a newborn's diet. It consists of breast milk or formula. Juice is not part of a newborn's diet and is not a medically controlled substance for treating hypoglycemia. This makes it inappropriate.

Concept Tested & Keywords

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E6 Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics(2024) — Volume 1 pp. 1027-1029, 1025-1027

E6 Ghai Essential Pediatrics(pp 26-904 of 913) p. 90-92