GLUCAGON TREATMENT OF EARLY POSTNATAL HYPOGLYCEMIA, IN ADDITION TO EARLY ORAL-FEEDING, IN INFANTS OF MOTHERS WITH INSULIN-TREATED DIABETES-MELLITUS

Objectives The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of glucagon, as a complement to oral feeding; in the treatment and preven tion of early postnatal hypoglycemia. Methods Twenty-six newborn infan ts, of mothers having well-controlled insulin-treated diabetes mellitu s, with a blood glucose concentration between 1.0 and 2.5 mmol/l at 2 h after delivery, were included in a randomized trial. Thirteen infant s, in addition to oral formula, were treated with glucagon (20 mu g/kg ) given asa subcutaneous injection at 3 h of age. They were compared w ith 13 children who received no glucagon. Results The blood glucose co ncentrations were significantly higher in children who were given gluc agon, both at 40 and 60 min after the injection (p < 0.001 and p < 0.0 1, respectively). No side-effects were noted. The need for intravenous glucose infusions could not be avoided in the glucagon-treated group. Conclusions Treatment with glucagon (20 mu g/kg), given subcutaneousl y in the postprandial state, caused a significant rise in the blood gl ucose concentration without side-effects in hypoglycemic infants of di abetic mothers. However, the effect was too brief to eliminate the nee d for additional intravenous glucose infusions.