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Am J Perinatol
DOI: 10.1055/a-2788-2020
Original Article

Intravenous Glucagon Infusion in the Management of Hypoglycemia in Infants of Diabetic Mothers

Authors

  • Raakel Luoto

    1   Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland

  • Inna Lappalainen

    1   Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland

  • Harri Niinikoski

    1   Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland

  • Kalle Korhonen

    1   Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
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Abstract

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of continuous intravenous (IV) glucagon infusion in the management of neonatal hypoglycemia in infants of diabetic mothers (IDMs).

Study Design

This retrospective case–control study included IDMs treated for hypoglycemia at Turku University Hospital, Finland, over 11 years. Sixteen infants received IV glucose and continuous IV glucagon, while 26 matched controls received IV glucose only.

Results

Prior to glucagon initiation, cases had higher IV glucose requirements and lower plasma glucose levels than controls. Following infusion, plasma glucose normalized rapidly. The mean (SD) duration of glucagon treatment was 5.6 (1.2) days. Maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) was significantly higher in cases (mean = 35.0 kg/m2 [SD = 8.2 kg/m2]) than in controls (mean = 27.6 kg/m2 [SD = 7.1 kg/m2]), p = 0.006. No significant differences in adverse effects were observed.

Conclusion

Continuous IV glucagon infusion is an effective and safe treatment for refractory hypoglycemia in IDMs.

Key Points

  • There are limited data on glucagon use in neonatal hypoglycemia.

  • Newborns of diabetic mothers could be a target population.

  • Glucagon infusion may be a valuable adjunctive therapy.

Keywords

diabetic mother - glucagon - neonate - neonatal hypoglycemia

Data Availability Statement

Deidentified datasets are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.


Contributors' Statement

R.L.: Conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, investigation, methodology, project administration, visualization, writing–original draft, writing–review and editing. I.L.: Conceptualization, data curation, investigation, methodology, writing–review and editing. H.N.: Conceptualization, methodology, supervision, writing–review and editing. K.K.: Conceptualization, data curation, formal analysis, project administration, supervision, writing–original draft, writing–review and editing.




Publication History

Received: 10 November 2025

Accepted: 13 January 2026

Article published online:
29 January 2026

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