Newborns with hypoglycemia---a medical condition referred to as neonatal hypoglycemia---have low levels of blood sugar in the first days following birth. Sugar levels in newborns may drop for a number of reasons, including elevated insulin levels, decreased glycogen levels, low glucose production or overuse of glucose stores. According to UpToDate for Patients, approximately 10 percent of normal newborns develop neonatal hypoglycemia.
Irritability
Newborn infants with hypoglycemia may develop a number of nonspecific symptoms as a result of this condition. Irritability, including grunting and crying, may be increased in newborns with this condition, according to FloridaHealthFinder.gov. Nausea, vomiting or pale skin may also develop in newborns with neonatal hypoglycemia.
Lethargy
Hypoglycemic newborns may be excessively tired or lethargic. This may occur because the newborn does not have enough glucose to provide the energy necessary for waking activities. Newborns may be inactive or unresponsive to external stimuli, such as a mother or father holding or speaking to the newborn. Extended periods of deep sleep that can mimic a coma may also indicate that a newborn has neonatal hypoglycemia.
Seizures
If sugar levels drop dramatically or remain low for an extended period of time, certain newborns may exhibit seizures or convulsions. Shakiness and tremors are also common side effects of neonatal hypoglycemia, according to FloridaHealthFinder.gov. Additionally, newborns with this condition may develop an abnormally rapid heart rate or a pounding heartbeat.
Apnea
The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Children's Hospital notes in its Intensive Care Nursery House Staff Manual that neonatal hypoglycemia may cause apnea to occur in some infants. Apnea is a medical condition in which external breathing stops for a brief period of time before resuming normally. If this occurs frequently, some infants may develop cyanosis---a condition in which the skin takes on a bluish color due to decreased levels of oxygen within the blood.
Sweating
Newborns with hypoglycemia may also develop difficulties maintaining a normal body temperature, according to FloridaHealthFinder.gov. Although uncommon, excessive sweating may also be exhibited by newborns with this condition, notes the UCSF Children's Hospital.
