Lower versus Traditional Treatment Threshold for Neonatal Hypoglycemia

This multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial compared two glucose threshold values for treating asymptomatic moderate hypoglycemia in newborns. The study involved 689 otherwise healthy newborns at risk for hypoglycemia, randomized to either a lower threshold (<36 mg/dL) or a traditional threshold (<47 mg/dL). The primary outcome was psychomotor development at 18 months, assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Results showed that the lower threshold was noninferior to the traditional threshold, with similar cognitive and motor scores. The lower-threshold group had fewer interventions and hypoglycemic episodes, suggesting it as a viable and less invasive treatment strategy.

This multicenter, randomized, noninferiority trial compared two glucose threshold values for treating asymptomatic moderate hypoglycemia in newborns. The study involved 689 otherwise healthy newborns at risk for hypoglycemia, randomized to either a lower threshold (<36 mg/dL) or a traditional threshold (<47 mg/dL). The primary outcome was psychomotor development at 18 months, assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development. Results showed that the lower threshold was noninferior to the traditional threshold, with similar cognitive and motor scores. The lower-threshold group had fewer interventions and hypoglycemic episodes, suggesting it as a viable and less invasive treatment strategy.