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Infant of Diabetic Mother

Last Updated: August 7, 2006
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Synonyms and related keywords: infant of diabetic mother, IDM, diabetic mother, glucose intolerance, respiratory distress, macrosomia, hyperviscosity secondary to polycythemia, hypoglycemia, congenital malformations, hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, fetal glucose control, maternal hyperglycemia

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Author: Charles F Potter, MD, Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Southern Illinois University School of Medicine; Director of Neonatology, Newborn Medicine, Memorial Medical Center, St. John's Hospital

Coauthor(s): Stephen D Kicklighter, MD, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, University of North Carolina at Raleigh and Wake Medical Center

Charles F Potter, MD, is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Pediatrics, and American Medical Association

Editor(s): George Cassady, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Pediatrics, Stanford University School of Medicine; Mary L Windle, PharmD, Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy, Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine.com, Inc; Brian S Carter, MD, FAAP, Associate Professor, Associate Director, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neonatology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center; Consulting Staff, New Beginnings Family Birth Center, Gateway Medical Center; Carol L Wagner, MD, Professor of Pediatrics, Medical University of South Carolina; and Neil N Finer, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatrics, University of California at San Diego School of Medicine, Program Director, Division of Neonatology, University of California San Diego Medical Center

Disclosure


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Background: Diabetes has long been associated with maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Before the discovery of insulin in 1921, diabetic women rarely reached reproductive age or survived pregnancy. In fact, pregnancy termination was recommended routinely for pregnant diabetic patients because of high mortality rates.

Fetal and neonatal mortality rates were as high as 65% before the development of specialized maternal, fetal, and neonatal care. Since then, infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs) have experienced a nearly 30-fold decrease in morbidity and mortality rates. Today, 3-10% of pregnancies are affected by abnormal glucose regulation and control. Of these, 80% are related to abnormal glucose control of pregnancy or gestational diabetes mellitus.

Infants born to mothers with glucose intolerance are at an increased risk of morbidity and mortality related to the following:

  • Respiratory distress

  • Growth abnormalities (large for gestational age [LGA], small for gestational age [SGA])

  • Hyperviscosity secondary to polycythemia

  • Hypoglycemia

  • Congenital malformations

  • Hypocalcemia, hypomagnesemia, and iron abnormalities

These infants are likely to be born by cesarean section for many reasons, among which are such complications as shoulder dystocia with potential brachial plexus injury related to the infant's large size. It is important for these mothers to be monitored closely throughout pregnancy. If optimal care is provided, the perinatal mortality rate, excluding congenital malformations, is nearly equivalent to that observed in normal pregnancies.

Pathophysiology: It is necessary to understand the physiology of fetal glucose control to appreciate the causes of the associated complications. Increased levels of both estrogen and progesterone affect glucose homeostasis as counter-regulatory hormones in the mother early in pregnancy. As a result, beta-cell hyperplasia occurs in the pancreas, stimulating an increased release of insulin.

Increased insulin levels stimulate glycogen deposition and decrease hepatic glucose production. It is not uncommon to recognize a decreased need for insulin in the diabetic patient in early pregnancy. Furthermore, amino acids decrease and fatty acid triglycerides and ketones both increase with increased fatty acid deposition. As a result, increased protein catabolism and accelerated renal gluconeogenesis occurs.

As pregnancy progresses, human placental lactogen is released by the syncytiotrophoblast, leading to lipolysis in the mother. The subsequent release of glycerol and fatty acids reduces maternal use of glucose and amino acid, thus preserving these substrates for the fetus.

The release of increasing amounts of contrainsulin factors as placental growth continues causes up to a 30% increase in maternal insulin needs as pregnancy progresses. Mothers with previous borderline glucose control, obesity, or frank diabetes may require initiation of or increase in their insulin requirements to maintain glucose homeostasis.

Glucose and amino acids traverse the placental membrane. On the other hand, insulin is unable to cross from maternal to fetal circulations. Using a carrier-mediated facilitated diffusion mechanism, fetal glucose levels are maintained at a level that is 20-30 mg/dL lower than those of the mother.

The fetus is subjected to high levels of glucose during times of maternal hyperglycemia. Before 20 weeks' gestation, fetal islet cells are incapable of responding, subjecting the fetus to unchecked hyperglycemia and decreased fetal growth. Poor growth is especially noted in mothers with diabetic vascular disease. After 20 weeks' gestation, the fetus responds to hyperglycemia with pancreatic beta-cell hyperplasia and increased insulin levels.

Proinsulin (insulinlike growth factor-1 [IGF-1], insulinlike growth factor–binding protein-3 [IGFBP-3]) also acts as a growth factor that, in the presence of increased fetal amino acids, results in fetal macrosomia. Fetal growth acceleration can be noted on ultrasound by 24 weeks' gestation, especially with fluctuating maternal glucose levels. The combination of hyperglycemia and insulin increases fat and glycogen stores, resulting in weight increases marked by hepatosplenomegaly and cardiomegaly without an increase in head circumference.

Chronic fetal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia increase the fetal basal metabolic rate and oxygen consumption, leading to a relative hypoxic state. The fetus responds by increasing oxygen-carrying capacity through increased erythropoieten production, possibly leading to polycythemia. The fetus redistributes iron from developing organs, including the heart and brain, to support this expanded blood mass, leaving these organs iron deficient and with possible long-term functional consequences.

Prior to birth, elevated insulin levels may inhibit the maturational effect of cortisol on the lung, including the production of surfactant from type 2 pneumocytes. This puts the fetus at risk for developing respiratory distress syndrome after birth.

Frequency:

  • In the US: The 1988 National Maternal and Infant Health Survey reported that diabetes complicated 4% of pregnancies resulting in live births. Of these, 88% were the result of gestational diabetes mellitus, 8% were the result of non–insulin-dependent diabetes, and 4% were from insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Given recent estimates of 0.2-0.3% of pregnancies complicated by preexisting diabetes and a further 1-5% complicated by gestational diabetes mellitus, approximately 50,000-150,000 infants are born to diabetic mothers every year.
  • Internationally: Women of Asian, Indian, or Middle-Eastern descent are at a higher risk than the general population.

Mortality/Morbidity:

  • Birth defects in infants of diabetic mothers have risen from 1-2% to 8-15% as a consequence of increased perinatal survival. Major congenital malformations are found in 5-9% of affected infants and account for 30-50% of perinatal deaths of infants of mothers with gestational diabetes.
  • In mothers with insulin-dependent diabetes, the stillbirth and perinatal mortality rate is 5 times the rate in the general population, and neonatal and infant mortality rates are 15 and 3 times the rate in the general population, respectively. These infants are 3 times more likely to be born by cesarean delivery, twice as likely to suffer serious birth injury, and 4 times as likely to be admitted to a neonatal intensive care unit.
  • Major causes of morbidity include the following:

    • LGA or SGA infants

    • Hypoglycemia

    • Prematurity

    • Respiratory distress syndrome

    • Intrapartum asphyxia

Race: Incidence is higher in Latinos and African-Americans than in whites. Diabetes occurs more frequently in persons of American Indian descent, particularly among the Pimas of the southwestern United States.

Sex: Frequency of involvement in boy and girl IDMs is equal.

Age: Generally, the first 1-3 hours after birth are the most critical for the development of hypoglycemia.


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History:

  • Fetal congenital malformations are most common when maternal glucose control has been poor during the first trimester of pregnancy. Given that many pregnancies are unplanned, the need for preconceptional glycemic control in diabetic women cannot be overstated.
  • Maternal hyperglycemia during late gestation is more likely to lead to fetal macrosomia, neonatal electrolyte abnormalities, or cardiomegaly with outflow tract obstruction.
  • Fetal macrosomia
    • Quality of fetal growth is determined by plotting birthweight against gestational age on standard growth curves. Infants whose weight exceeds the 90th percentile for gestational age are classified as large for gestational age. Maternal hyperglycemia during late pregnancy is commonly followed by excessive fetal growth.
    • LGA infants should be routinely screened for potential hypoglycemia. This is particularly important if the mother has received large amounts of glucose-containing fluids during her labor.
    • Fetal macrosomia is observed in 26% of IDMs and in 10% (by definition) of infants of nondiabetic women. While most common as a consequence of maternal hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia, fetal macrosomia may occur despite maternal euglycemia.
  • Impaired fetal growth
    • Infants whose birthweight is below the 10th percentile, when plotted against gestational age on a standard growth curve, are considered small for gestational age.

    • Impaired fetal growth may occur in as many as 20% of diabetic pregnancies, compared to a 10% incidence (by definition) for infants born to nondiabetic mothers. Maternal renovascular disease is the common cause of impaired fetal growth in pregnancies complicated by maternal diabetes.
  • Pulmonary disease
    • These infants are at an increased risk of respiratory distress syndrome and may present within the first few hours after birth with tachypnea, nasal or intercostal retractions, and hypoxia. Operative delivery due to macrosomia also increases the risk for transient tachypnea of the newborn, while polycythemia predisposes the infant for persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn.
    • Initially, the differential diagnosis might include transient tachypnea of the newborn, respiratory distress syndrome, pneumonia, or persistent pulmonary hypertension.
  • Metabolic and electrolyte abnormalities

    • Hypoglycemia may present within the first few hours of life, with such symptoms as jitteriness, irritability, apathy, poor feeding, high pitched or weak cry, hypotonia, or frank seizure activity. This hypoglycemia may persist for as long as one week. More commonly, the neonate is asymptomatic.

    • Hypoglycemia is caused by hyperinsulinemia due to hyperplasia of fetal pancreatic beta cells consequent to maternal-fetal hyperglycemia. Because the continuous supply of glucose is stopped after birth, the neonate develops hypoglycemia because of insufficient substrate. Stimulation of fetal insulin release by maternal hyperglycemia during labor significantly increases the risk of early hypoglycemia in these infants. Perinatal stress may have an additive effect on hypoglycemia due to catecholamine release and glycogen depletion.

    • The overall risk of hypoglycemia is anywhere from 25-40%, with LGA and preterm infants at highest risk.

    • Hypocalcemia or hypomagnesemia also may be apparent in the first few hours after birth; symptoms may include jitteriness or seizure activity. Hypocalcemia (levels <7 mg/dL) is believed to be associated with a delay in parathyroid hormone synthesis after birth.

    • Sixty-five percent of all IDMs demonstrate abnormalities of iron metabolism at birth. Iron deficiency increases an infant's risk for neurodevelopmental abnormalities. Iron is redistributed to the iron-deficient tissues after birth, as the RBC mass is postnatally broken down.
  • Hematologic problems: Polycythemia, caused by increased erythropoiesis triggered by chronic fetal hypoxia, may present as a clinically "ruddy" appearance, sluggish capillary refill, or respiratory distress. Hyperviscosity due to polycythemia increases the IDM's risk for stroke, seizure, necrotizing enterocolitis, and renal vein thrombosis.

  • Thrombocytopenia: Thrombopoiesis may be inhibited because of an excess of red blood cell precursors within the bone marrow as a result of chronic in utero asphyxia.

  • Hyperbilirubinemia: This is common, especially in association with polycythemia. Excessive red cell hemolysis, caused by vascular sludging, leads to elevated bilirubin levels.
  • Cardiovascular anomalies
    • Cardiomyopathy with intraventricular hypertrophy and outflow tract obstruction may occur in as many as 30% of these infants. The cardiomyopathy may be caused by congestive failure with a weakly functioning myocardium or to a hypertrophic myocardium with significant septal hypertrophy and outflow tract obstruction. When cardiomegaly or poor perfusion and hypotension are present, it is important to obtain an echocardiogram to differentiate between these processes.

    • These infants also are at an increased risk of congenital heart defects, including (most commonly) ventricular septal defect (VSD) and transposition of the great arteries (TGA).
  • Congenital malformations
    • Central nervous malformations are 16 times more likely in these infants. In particular, the risk of anencephaly is 13 times higher, while the risk of spina bifida is 20 times higher. The risk of caudal dysplasia is up to 600 times higher in these infants.
    • Renal (eg, hydronephrosis, renal agenesis, ureteral duplication), ear, cardiovascular (eg, single umbilical artery, VSDs, atrial septal defects, TGA, coarctation of the aorta, cardiomegaly), and gastrointestinal (eg, duodenal or anorectal atresia, small left colon syndrome) anomalies are more frequent in these infants.

Physical:

  • Fetal macrosomia (>90th percentile for gestational age or >4000 g in the term infant) occurs in 15-45% of diabetic pregnancies. When present, the infant appears puffy, fat, ruddy, and often mildly limp.
  • Impaired fetal growth, secondary to poor placental blood flow, is a consequence of severe maternal diabetics with diabetic nephropathy. Perinatal asphyxia, more common in such infants, may be anticipated by prenatal history, thus stressing the importance of communication between obstetrician and pediatrician.

Causes:

  • HbA1C levels
    • Complications caused by maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy are reflected by elevated HbA1C levels, particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy.
    • Because HbA1C is a direct measure of glucose control in the mother, higher levels are predictive of increased risks for congenital complications. Thus, the incidence of complications has been reported as 3.4% with HbA1C levels lower than 8.5% and 22.4% with levels higher than 8.5%.

    • There is speculation that birth defects in IDMs may be related to reduced arachidonic acid and myoinositol levels and elevated sorbitol and trace metal levels in the fetus.
    • Others speculate about the role of excess oxygen radicals and hydroperoxides in the mitochondria of susceptible fetal tissues because these prostacyclin inhibitors may cause disruption in the vascularization of developing tissues.
    • A past history of LGA infants, diabetes, stillbirth, hypertension, gestational diabetes, obesity, or glycosuria, or a current history of excessive weight gain in the present pregnancy or low socioeconomic class place the mother at an increased risk of poor glucose control during pregnancy and increase her risk of delivering an infant with subsequent complications.
  • Fetal macrosomia
    • IDMs experience higher levels of glucose during gestation, resulting in pancreatic beta cell hyperplasia with increased secretion of insulin and proinsulin factors (IGF-1, IGFBP-3). Amino acid availability also is increased. All of these factors are involved in the excessive growth observed in the infants of diabetic mothers.
    • All organ systems, aside from the kidney and brain, are sensitive to the increased glucose and amino acid pools. Increased insulin levels result in an increase in cell number and cell size.
  • Impaired fetal growth
    • The major cause of impaired fetal growth is maternal diabetic nephropathy. Maternal vascular disease compromises uteroplacental blood flow and impairs fetal nutrient supply.
    • IDMs are at increased risk of preterm labor, stillbirth, neonatal death, birth injury, and perinatal asphyxia.
  • Pulmonary disease

    • These infants are at increased risk for respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, and persistent pulmonary hypertension.

    • Insulin restricts substrate availability for surfactant biosynthesis and interferes with the normal timing of glucocorticoid-induced biosynthesis.

    • Insulin also blocks cortisol action at the fibroblast level by reducing production of fibroblast-pneumocyte factor, which normally would stimulate type II cells to produce surfactant.

    • Several studies agree that the risk of respiratory distress syndrome in well-managed diabetic women delivered at term is no higher than in the general population.
  • Electrolyte abnormalities

    • These infants are at high risk for hypoglycemia, especially within the early hours after birth.

    • High levels of fetal insulin with cessation of continued maternal glucose supply take place after birth. The neonatal shift to gluconeogenesis with fatty acid use may provide an insufficient supply of substrate, and, thus, the infant may experience hypoglycemia (<20-40 mg/dL), which may be asymptomatic. Alternatively, the infant may display such symptoms as jitteriness, irritability, lethargy, poor feeding tolerance, and seizures. With hypoglycemia, the body responds with increased counterregulatory hormones and production of ketones for use as an energy source. With continued hyperinsulinemia, this production of ketones is inhibited, thus lowering the source of energy for these infants even further.

    • Hypocalcemia, with or without hypomagnesemia, also may be present and is believed to be secondary to parathyroid hormone suppression.

    • Postnatal parathormone response of IDMs is decreased compared to their gestationally matched controls. The associated hypomagnesemia has been speculated to be secondary to increased urinary losses associated with a more severe diabetic state. This maternal hypomagnesemia is reflected in the fetus also.
  • Cardiovascular anomalies
    • Cardiac hypertrophy may be observed in as many as 30% of IDMs.
    • Fetal growth is regulated by insulin binding to cell receptors. Compared to the adult, the fetus has an increased number of receptors. Because the fetal heart is particularly rich in receptors, this may lead to increased myocardial protein, glycogen, and fat synthesis with hyperplasia and hypertrophy of myocardial cells.
  • Congenital malformations
    • Some speculate that many of the congenital anomalies in IDMs may arise from an insult to the developing somite mesoderm and cephalic neural crest cells.
    • Metabolic disturbances, such as hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, hyperketonemia, and hypoxia, also may be involved.
    • Glucose-induced free radicals of oxygen also have been implicated.
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Lab Studies:

  • Complete blood cell count
    • Polycythemia, commonly defined as a central hematocrit higher than 65% or hemoglobin concentration higher than 20 g/dL, is a potential concern.
    • Maternal-fetal hyperglycemia is a strong stimulus for fetal erythropoietin production and subsequent increase in fetal hemoglobin concentration secondary to chronic in utero hypoxia, which can be associated with the infant of a diabetic mother. Fetal hyperviscosity, intravascular sludging, regional ischemia, and hypoxemia are all potential complications. Thrombocytopenia may occur because of impaired thrombopoiesis due to "crowding-out" of thrombocytes by the excess of erythroid precursors in the bone marrow.
  • Glucose concentration (serum or whole-blood)
    • Seizures, coma, and long-term brain damage may occur if neonatal hypoglycemia is unrecognized and untreated.
    • Most centers recognize levels lower than 20-40 mg/dL within the first 24 hours after birth as abnormal, but the precise level remains controversial. A policy to screen IDMs for hypoglycemia should be in place in every hospital. A recent suggestion of operational thresholds was proposed by Cornblath et al. Their suggestion in an infant with compromised metabolic adaptation (ie, IDMs) should include blood glucose measurements (1) as soon as possible after birth, (2) within 2-3 hours after birth and before feeding, and (3) at any time abnormal clinical signs are observed.
  • Magnesium concentration (serum)
    • Hypomagnesemia is related to younger maternal age, severity of maternal diabetes, and prematurity. Neonatal magnesium levels are also related to maternal serum magnesium, neonatal calcium and phosphorus levels, and neonatal parathyroid function.

    • The clinical significance of low magnesium levels in these infants remains controversial and uncertain.
  • Calcium concentration (serum, ionized or total levels): Low serum calcium levels in IDMs are common. They are speculated to be caused by a functional hypoparathyroidism; however, their clinical relevance remains uncertain and controversial.
  • Bilirubin level (serum, total and unconjugated): Hyperbilirubinemia is notably more common than in the general population of neonates. Causative factors include prematurity, hepatic enzyme immaturity, polycythemia with hyperviscosity and "sludging," and reduced red blood cell half-life.
  • Arterial blood gas: Assessing oxygenation and ventilation is essential in infants with clinical evidence of respiratory distress. Although noninvasive methods (eg, transcutaneous oxygen and carbon dioxide electrodes, oximeters) have gained wide acceptance at many centers, comparison of results with those from arterial blood is intermittently required.

Imaging Studies:

  • Chest radiograph
    • Clinical evidences of cardiopulmonary distress require a detailed evaluation, which always should include a chest radiograph.
    • Adequacy of lung expansion, evidences of focal or diffuse atelectasis, presence of interstitial fluid, signs of free air in pleural or interstitial spaces, as well as findings of pneumonia should be looked for carefully. The possibility of pulmonary malformations also should be considered. In the macrosomic infant with a history of shoulder dystocia, examination of the clavicles may be indicated.
    • Cardiac size, shape, and great vessel/outflow tract should be examined carefully.
  • Cardiac echocardiogram
    • A thickened myocardium and significant septal hypertrophy may be present in as many as 1 in 3 IDMs. Evidence of hypercontractile, thickened myocardium, often with septal hypertrophy disproportionate to the size of the ventricular free walls, may be noted on examination. Myocardial contractility also should be evaluated because the myocardium is overstretched and poorly contractile with congenital cardiomyopathies. Evidence of anatomical malformation must be searched for carefully because cardiac malformations are significantly more common in IDMs, including a VSD and a TGA.
  • Abdominal, pelvic, or lower extremity radiographs
    • When caudal dysplasia is present, anatomic details must be evaluated. Orthopedic anomalies may include fusion of the legs, hypoplastic femur, defects of the tibia and the fibula, flexion contractures of the knee and hip, or clubfoot. Sacral agenesis also is described.

    • Lower extremity congenital malformations require radiographic evaluation to determine the exact skeletal defect or defects present.
  • Barium enema
    • Infants with feeding intolerance, abdominal distention, nonbilious emesis, or poor passage of meconium may require a barium enema. Congenital anomalies of the gastrointestinal tract are more common in IDMs. These infants may have "small left colon syndrome," also known as "lazy colon."
    • Clinical features of the small left colon syndrome may mimic those of Hirschsprung disease and distal tapering of the colon is a radiologic feature of both disorders. The 2 disorders can be distinguished using a biopsy because normal ganglionic cells are present in lazy colon and absent in Hirschsprung disease.

Procedures:

  • Nasal or endotracheal continuous positive airway pressure, endotracheal intubation, and mechanical ventilation
    • Nasal continuous positive airway pressure (NCPAP) or endotracheal intubation with CPAP and/or intermittent mandatory or synchronized positive pressure ventilation (IMV, SIMV) may be employed for management of severe respiratory distress.
    • Common criteria for such interventions include inspired oxygen requirements (FiO2) of 60-100% to maintain arterial PO2 of 50-80 mm Hg, arterial PCO2 levels higher than 60-80 mm Hg or rising 10 or more mm Hg/h, and apnea. The specific criteria for using these modes of assisted ventilation may vary considerably among neonatologists or across institutions.
  • Indwelling vascular lines (peripheral, umbilical, or central)
    • Noninvasive blood gas monitoring using transcutaneous electrodes (PaO2 and PaCO2) and oximeters (O2% saturation) has greatly reduced the need for invasive indwelling catheters. However, indwelling lines often are needed early in the course of cardiorespiratory disease. In some instances, the need for continuous arterial blood pressure monitoring may warrant placement of a peripheral or umbilical arterial line. Once again, use of these invasive methods varies.
    • Placement of an umbilical venous or a central venous catheter often is employed when the infant requires hyperosmolar intravenous fluids or when peripheral access is limited or exhausted.
Histologic Findings: The pancreas has larger and more numerous islets. Sections from neonatal myocardium show cellular hyperplasia and hypertrophy.

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Medical Care:

Consultations: Because of the frequency with which cardiac problems occur in these infants, early consultation with a pediatric cardiologist often is necessary. Because malformations in several organ systems are more common in IDMs, consultation with appropriate subspecialists often is required.
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Several drugs may be used in the treatment of these infants. Metabolic and electrolyte stabilization (dextrose, calcium, magnesium), cardiotropic support (digitalis, dopamine, or dobutamine in the presence of poor cardiac function and propranolol for symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy), and the use of sedation (infants with pulmonary hypertension or on mechanical ventilation) are commonly employed. In addition, infants with hyaline membrane disease may require surfactant administration.

Drug Category: Minerals -- IV calcium or magnesium is indicated for acute treatment to correct symptomatic low serum levels.
Drug Name
Calcium gluconate (Kalcinate) -- Employed by some clinicians to correct hypocalcemia (serum ionized calcium level <4 mg/dL or serum total calcium level <8 mg/dL). The 10% IV solution provides 100 mg/mL of calcium gluconate that equals 9 mg/mL (0.46 mEq/mL) of elemental calcium.
Pediatric DoseInitial: 100-200 mg/kg (1-2 mL/kg, equivalent to 10-20 mg/kg elemental calcium) IV
Maintenance: 200-800 mg/kg (2-8 mL/kg) PO/IV
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity; renal calculi, hypercalcemia, hypophosphatemia, renal or cardiac disease, and digitalis toxicity
InteractionsMay decrease effects of tetracyclines, atenolol, salicylates, iron salts, and fluoroquinolones; antagonizes effects of verapamil; large intakes of dietary fiber may decrease calcium absorption and levels; incompatible with clindamycin, fluconazole, esmolol, amphotericin B, indomethacin, methylprednisolone, metoclopramide, sodium bicarbonate, and phosphate and magnesium salts
Pregnancy B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
PrecautionsUse extravasation precautions; may cause severe sclerosing of peripheral veins, administer via central line if possible; administer slowly over at least 5 min; monitor ECG for bradycardia or dysrhythmia; caution in digitalized patients, respiratory failure, acidosis, or severe hyperphosphatemia; calcium chloride is more irritating; calcium gluconate provides less predictable increases in plasma calcium levels
Drug Name
Calcium chloride -- Rarely used in pediatric patients due to vascular irritation and extravasation risk. Employed by some clinicians to correct hypocalcemia (serum ionized calcium level <4 mg/dL or serum total calcium level <8 mg/dL). The 10% IV solution provides 100 mg/mL of calcium chloride that equals 27.2 mg/mL (1.4 mEq/mL) of elemental calcium.
Pediatric DoseInitial: 35-70 mg/kg (0.35-0.7 mL/kg, equivalent to 10-20 mg/kg elemental calcium) IV
Maintenance: 75-300 mg/kg (0.75-3 mL/kg) IV
ContraindicationsVentricular fibrillation not associated with hyperkalemia; digitalis toxicity, hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, cardiac disease
InteractionsCoadministration with digoxin may cause arrhythmias; coadministration with thiazides, may induce hypercalcemia; may antagonize effects of calcium channel blockers, atenolol, and sodium polystyrene sulfonate; incompatible with amphotericin B, methylprednisolone, metoclopramide, sodium bicarbonate, and phosphate and magnesium salts when mixed directly.
Pregnancy B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
PrecautionsUse extravasation precautions; may severely sclerose peripheral veins, administer via central line if possible; administer slowly over at least 5 min; monitor ECG for bradycardia or dysrhythmia; caution in digitalized patients, respiratory failure, acidosis, or severe hyperphosphatemia
Drug Name
Magnesium sulfate -- Used to correct low levels of serum ionized or total magnesium. Cofactor in enzyme systems involved in neurochemical transmission and muscular excitability. Magnesium sulfate 1 g equals 98 mg elemental magnesium (8.12 mEq or 4.06 mmol elemental magnesium).
Pediatric DoseHypomagnesemia or hypocalcemia: 25-50 mg/kg/dose IV q4-6h for 3-4 doses; repeat prn
Maintenance: 30-60 mg/kg IV q24h; not to exceed 1 g/d
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity; heart block, Addison disease, myocardial damage, or severe hepatitis
InteractionsConcurrent use with nifedipine may cause hypotension and neuromuscular blockade; may increase neuromuscular blockade observed with aminoglycosides and potentiate neuromuscular blockade produced by tubocurarine, vecuronium, and succinylcholine; may increase CNS effects and toxicity of CNS depressants, betamethasone, and cardiotoxicity of ritodrine
Pregnancy B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
PrecautionsMay alter cardiac conduction leading to heart block in digitalized patients; respiratory rate, deep tendon reflex, and renal function should be monitored when electrolyte is administered parenterally; caution when administering magnesium dose because may produce significant hypertension or asystole; in overdose, calcium gluconate, 10-20 mL IV of 10% solution, can be given as antidote for clinically significant hypermagnesemia
Drug Category: Dextrose -- Emergent blood glucose elevation requires IV dextrose.
Drug Name
Dextrose -- Parenterally injected dextrose is used in patients unable to sustain adequate oral intake. Direct oral absorption results in a rapid increase in blood glucose concentrations. Dextrose is effective in small doses and there is no evidence that may cause toxicity. Concentrated dextrose infusions provide higher amounts of glucose and increased caloric intake in a small volume of fluid.
Pediatric DoseGlucose level <20-25 mg/dL (1.1-1.4 mmol/L): Administer IV dextrose to maintain blood glucose at 45-60 mg/dL (2.5-3.3 mmol/L)
Clinically symptomatic infant: 200 mg/kg (2 mL/kg) IV of D10 over 5-10 min initially; followed by 6-8 mg/kg/min IV continuous infusion; may increase by 2 mg/kg/min prn to achieve euglycemia
ContraindicationsDo not administer to a patient in diabetic coma if blood sugar levels are extremely high; avoid in severely dehydrated patients
InteractionsCaution when administering parenteral fluids to patients receiving corticosteroids or corticotropin, especially if the solution contains sodium ions
Pregnancy C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
PrecautionsMay cause nausea, which also may occur with hypoglycemia; IV dextrose solutions may result in dilution of serum electrolyte concentrations, or overhydration when fluid overload is present; caution in patients with congestion or pulmonary edema; hypertonic dextrose given peripherally may cause thrombosis (administer instead through central venous catheter); caution in subclinical diabetes mellitus or carbohydrate intolerance; risk of inducing significant hyperglycemia or hyperosmolar syndrome is increased if solution is administered rapidly, especially in patients with chronic uremia or carbohydrate intolerance; concentrated solutions should not be administered SC or IM; rates of dextrose infusion higher than 0.5 g/kg/h may produce glycosuria; at infusion rates of 0.8 g/kg/h, the incidence of glycosuria is 5%; monitor fluid balance, electrolyte concentrations, and acid-base balance closely; dextrose administration may produce vitamin B-complex deficiency
Drug Category: Cardiotropic agents -- These agents are used to improve poor cardiac output.
Drug Name
Dopamine (Intropin) -- Stimulates both adrenergic and dopaminergic receptors. Hemodynamic effect is dependent on the dose. Lower doses predominantly stimulate dopaminergic receptors that, in turn, produce renal and mesenteric vasodilation. Cardiac stimulation and renal vasodilation produced by higher doses.
After initiating therapy, increase dose by 1-4 mcg/kg/min q10-30min until optimal response obtained. More than 50% of patients are satisfactorily treated on doses <20 mcg/kg/min.
Adult Dose1-5 mcg/kg/min IV; not to exceed 20 mcg/kg/min
Pediatric DoseAdminister as in adults; premature infants may respond to very small doses
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity; pheochromocytoma or ventricular fibrillation
InteractionsPhenytoin, alpha- and beta-adrenergic blockers, general anesthesia, and MAOIs increase and prolong dopamine effects; incompatible with acyclovir, amphotericin B, furosemide, indomethacin, insulin, and sodium bicarbonate
Pregnancy C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
PrecautionsContinuous heart rate and intraarterial blood pressure monitoring preferred; tachycardia and arrhythmia; may increase pulmonary artery pressure; tissue sloughing with IV infiltration; correct hypovolemia before infusion; caution if evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy exists in infant due to increased risk of decreased left ventricular output resulting from inotropic use
Drug Name
Dobutamine (Dobutrex) -- Used to improve cardiac output. It is a synthetic catecholamine with primarily beta1-adrenergic activity. Increases myocardial contractility, cardiac index, oxygen delivery, and oxygen consumption and is more effective on cardiac contractility than dopamine.
Adult Dose0.5 mcg/kg/min IV initially, titrate until desired therapeutic effect attained, typically up to 20 mcg/kg/min
Pediatric DoseAdminister as in adults; premature infants may respond to very small doses
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity; idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis and atrial fibrillation or flutter
InteractionsBeta-adrenergic blockers antagonize effects of dobutamine; general anesthetics may increase toxicity
Incompatible with acyclovir, aminophylline, bumetanide, diazepam, digoxin, furosemide, indomethacin, phenytoin, and sodium bicarbonate
Pregnancy B - Usually safe but benefits must outweigh the risks.
PrecautionsContinuous heart rate and intraarterial blood pressure monitoring preferred; watch for extravasation associated with infiltration; correct hypovolemia before infusion; caution if evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy exists in infant due to increased risk of decreased left ventricular output resulting from inotropic use
Drug Name
Digoxin (Lanoxin) -- Cardiac glycoside with direct inotropic effects in addition to indirect effects on the cardiovascular system.
Acts directly on cardiac muscle, increasing myocardial systolic contractions. Its indirect actions result in increased carotid sinus nerve activity and enhanced sympathetic withdrawal for any given increase in mean arterial pressure.
Adult Dose0.125-0.375 mg PO qd
Pediatric DoseTotal digitalizing dose:
5-10 years: 20-35 mcg/kg PO divided in 3 doses q6h
>10 years: 10-15 mcg/kg PO divided in 3 doses q6h
Maintenance dose: Use 25-35% of PO loading dose
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity; beriberi heart disease, idiopathic hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, constrictive pericarditis, and carotid sinus syndrome
InteractionsMedications that may increase digoxin levels include alprazolam, benzodiazepines, bepridil, captopril, cyclosporine, propafenone, propantheline, quinidine, diltiazem, aminoglycosides, oral amiodarone, anticholinergics, diphenoxylate, erythromycin, felodipine, flecainide, hydroxychloroquine, itraconazole, nifedipine, omeprazole, quinine, ibuprofen, indomethacin, esmolol, tetracycline, tolbutamide, and verapamil
Medications that may decrease serum digoxin levels include aminoglutethimide, antihistamines, cholestyramine, neomycin, penicillamine, aminoglycosides, oral colestipol, hydantoins, hypoglycemic agents, antineoplastic treatment combinations (eg, carmustine, bleomycin, methotrexate, cytarabine, doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, vincristine, procarbazine), aluminum or magnesium antacids, rifampin, sucralfate, sulfasalazine, barbiturates, kaolin/pectin, and aminosalicylic acid
Pregnancy C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
PrecautionsHypokalemia may reduce positive inotropic effect of digitalis; IV calcium may produce arrhythmias in digitalized patients; hypercalcemia predisposes patient to digitalis toxicity, and hypocalcemia can make digoxin ineffective until serum calcium levels are normal; magnesium replacement therapy must be instituted in patients with hypomagnesemia to prevent digitalis toxicity; patients diagnosed with incomplete AV block may progress to complete block when treated with digoxin; exercise caution in hypothyroidism, hypoxia, and acute myocarditis; in the infant of a diabetic mother, caution must be used with these agents if evidence of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy exists; these infants are at increased risk of decreased left ventricular output resulting from the use of these agents
Drug Name
Propranolol (Inderal) -- Nonselective beta-adrenergic–receptor blocker decreases the degree of outflow obstruction caused by septal hypertrophy.
Adult DoseHypertension, angina, or tremor: 120-320 mg/d PO in divided doses
Tachyarrythmia, anxiety, or hyperthyroidism: 10-40 mg PO tid/qid
Pediatric DoseOral: 0.25 mg/kg/dose PO q6h initially; may increase as needed, not to exceed 3.5 mg/kg/dose q6h
IV: 0.01 mg/kg/dose IV q6h infused over 10 min, if needed, increase dose, not to exceed 0.15 mg/kg/dose q6h
ContraindicationsDocumented hypersensitivity; reactive airway disease; diminished myocardial contractility
InteractionsCoadministration with aluminum salts, barbiturates, NSAIDs, penicillins, calcium salts, cholestyramine, and rifampin may decrease propranolol effects; calcium channel blockers, cimetidine, loop diuretics, and MAOIs may increase toxicity of propranolol; toxicity of hydralazine, haloperidol, benzodiazepines, lidocaine, quinidine, and phenothiazines may increase with administration; coadministration with epinephrine may result in severe hypertensive response; abrupt withdrawal of clonidine while taking beta-blockers may exaggerate hypertensive rebound due to excessive alpha stimulation; coadministration with ergot alkaloids may result in excess vasoconstriction
Pregnancy C - Safety for use during pregnancy has not been established.
PrecautionsBeta-adrenergic blockade may decrease signs of acute hypoglycemia and hyperthyroidism; abrupt withdrawal may exacerbate symptoms of hyperthyroidism, including thyroid storm; withdraw drug slowly and monitor closely; may cause bradycardia, bronchospasm, or hypotension; continuous monitoring required with IV administration
  FOLLOW-UP Section 8 of 11   Click here to go to the previous section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic
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Further Outpatient Care:

Transfer:

Deterrence/Prevention:

Complications:

Prognosis:

  MISCELLANEOUS Section 9 of 11   Click here to go to the previous section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic
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Medical/Legal Pitfalls:

  • Failure to recognize and appropriately treat the infant with hypoglycemia can be devastating from a medicolegal standpoint.
  PICTURES Section 10 of 11   Click here to go to the previous section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page Click here to go to the next section in this topic
Author Information Introduction Clinical Differentials Workup Treatment Medication Follow-up Miscellaneous Pictures Bibliography

Caption: Picture 1. An increase in the number and size of the islets is commonly seen in the pancreas of infants born to diabetic mothers.
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Picture Type: Photo
  BIBLIOGRAPHY Section 11 of 11   Click here to go to the previous section in this topic Click here to go to the top of this page
Author Information Introduction Clinical Differentials Workup Treatment Medication Follow-up Miscellaneous Pictures Bibliography

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Infant of Diabetic Mother excerpt