Prediction of neonatal hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers by glucose disappearance in the first hour of life.

Whole blood glucose determinations were obtained in the first hour of life in 44 infants of diabetic mothers in order to predict the occurrence of subsequent hypoglycemia by means of the calculated glucose disappearance rate. Hypoglycemia (whole blood glucose less than 20 mg/dl) occurred in 10 infants with linear glucose disappearance of whom 9 had a glucose disappearance rate greater than or equal to 3.0% per min (90% sensitivity). Nine of 11 infants with glucose disappearance rates greater than or equal to 3.0% per min had hypoglycemia (82% specificity). This relatively simple procedure offers an accurate method for prediction of neonatal hypoglycemia due to reactive hyperinsulinemia in infants of diabetic mothers.