Hepatic Carbohydrate Metabolism in the Genesis of Neonatal Hypoglycemia

Abstract

Newborn infants delivered vaginally responded to glucagon and epinephrine plus glucagon within the first 8 hours of life with increases in the concentrations of blood sugar. The degree of responsiveness appears to be dosage dependent. Galactose is metabolized more slowly in the newborn than in older infants or adults, as judged by the half-time disappearance rate of galactose given intravenously. During administration of galactose the blood glucose concentration increases promptly. The hypoglycemia observed normally in the newborn infant at 4 to 8 hours after birth does not appear to be related to inadequate glycogen stores, immature hepatic enzymes, or hyperinsulinism. Some degree of generalized hepatic unresponsiveness, as yet undefined, seems of importance etiologically to explain the instability of blood glucose in the newborn infant.