What blood glucose threshold defines hypoglycemia in neonates (0-4 weeks) according to the protocol?

• A. 60 mg/dL
• B. 50 mg/dL
• C. 35 mg/dL
• D. 45 mg/dL

Answer: (C)

In the neonatal period, a specific glucose threshold is used to signal hypoglycemia and prompt action. For infants from birth to 4 weeks, the protocol defines hypoglycemia as a glucose level below 35 mg/dL. This value is chosen to protect the brain from energy shortfalls, since newborns have limited glucose stores and are particularly vulnerable to neuroglycopenia, yet it avoids labeling every mild fluctuation as problematic.

When a reading falls under this threshold, the usual approach is to initiate prompt feeding and close monitoring, with escalation to intravenous glucose if needed after assessment. Keep in mind that measurement type matters: plasma glucose is more reliable for diagnosis, and repeat or confirmatory testing may be used to guide treatment decisions. Other guidelines may use higher or lower cutoffs depending on gestational age and symptoms, but per this protocol, 35 mg/dL is the defining threshold.