A New Beginning

Blood Sugar and Car Seat Screening for High Risk Newborns

BLOOD SUGAR SCREENINGS FOR AT-RISK BABIES

CAR SEAT ANGLE TOLERANCE SCREENING FOR AT-RISK BABIES

Why Are Blood Sugar Screenings Done?

Why Is This 90 – 120 Minute Screening Important?

There are many risk factors for low blood sugar in babies: low birth weight, maternal diabetes, infrequent or inadequate feedings. Babies with these risk factors are routinely screened for several hours after birth because low blood sugar can cause long-term problems. Your baby’s nurse will let you know if your baby needs to have their blood sugar checked.

This 90 - 120 minute screening is important for smaller babies, those born early and those with poor muscle tone because they are at higher risk for breathing problems while in a car seat. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends screening these babies before discharge to determine if they need a special car seat carrier while traveling. It determines if your baby is ready to leave the hospital and travel home.

How Are Blood Sugar Screenings Done?

How Is the Screening Done?

Your baby’s blood sugar will be screened before a feeding. A drop of blood from your baby’s heel is placed onto a special test strip. The nurse can see the results quickly and know if your baby’s blood sugar is low. Although low blood sugar usually occurs soon after birth, it can occur several hours later.

A small self-stick sensor is wrapped around your baby’s wrist or foot to check the amount of oxygen in their blood and pads are placed on your baby’s chest to monitor breathing and heart rate. A nurse will monitor your baby’s heart rate, respiratory rate and oxygen levels during the screening, and will tell you the results when the screen is finished.

How Is Low Blood Sugar Treated?

What You Can Do

Babies are given a sugar gel rubbed into the inside of their cheeks, and placed skin-to-skin followed by an extra feeding. The feeding type depends on your feeding preference and your baby’s clinical condition. Placing baby skin-to-skin and the feeding will help improve the blood glucose. Approximately 1 hour after your baby receives the sugar gel and extra feeding, their blood sugar will be checked to make sure it has improved. Blood sugar problems in a baby do not mean they will develop diabetes later in life. Once your baby is feeding regularly, blood sugar problems seldom occur.

• Bring in your car seat and base as soon as possible. • Place your baby in the car seat at the beginning of the screening. • Remain with your baby during the first 15 minutes of the screening to change your baby’s position if needed.

How You Can Help

What If My Baby Does Not Pass the Screening?

• Rooming-In – Keeping baby with you helps you to recognize early hunger cues and feed baby sooner. • Do Skin-to-Skin Contact – Increases baby’s blood sugar. • Feed Baby Often – At least 8-12 times in 24 hours. • Decrease Baby’s Energy Needs – Calm a fussy baby; do not overstimulate them. • Breastfeed – Decreases the chances of low blood sugar happening more than once.

The nurse will repeat the car seat angle tolerance screening in 6-8 hours. If your baby does not pass the screening a second time, your baby’s pediatric provider will be notified for further evaluation. Your baby may need a special car seat carrier for traveling in a vehicle.

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A New Beginning