Biochemists? Neonatal Hypoglycemia and Gluconeogenesis?
I am looking for the basic breakdown of what actually happens (metabolically) within neonates to cause hypoglycemia. When taking the metabolism of an affected neonate into account, which pathway are diminished. Basically, what metabolic difference exists between an affected neonate and a perfectly normal neonate? Thanks so much within advance!
Answers:
The main issues with neonates are that they can enjoy very low carbohydrate/fat reserves compared to an adult (particularly if they're premature), so they are more susceptible to hypoglycaemia, especially if they get an infection/don't nurture properly etc. Also the liver metabolic pathways may not be fully mature (again especially if they're premature) - this is why babies are prone to jaundice. Since the liver is responsible for gluconeogenesis, this can lead to hypoglycaemia. Then you own to consider all the inborn errors of metabolism, such as organic acid disorders, amino tart disorders, which typically are caused by a block in some metabolic pathway, leading to hypoglycaemia. Source(s): PhD biochemistry, work contained by medical lab
Insulin crosses the placenta. When mom has gestational (or other) diabetes mellitus, the baby becomes a core source of insulin, and the Islets of Langerhans will increase in number (nisidioblastosis). After birth and severing the umbilical cord, the source of glucose is cut off dramatically, although the insulin production is not. Sometimes it takes a couple of days of monitoring their glucose, to procure insulin production down regulated.
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Answers:
The main issues with neonates are that they can enjoy very low carbohydrate/fat reserves compared to an adult (particularly if they're premature), so they are more susceptible to hypoglycaemia, especially if they get an infection/don't nurture properly etc. Also the liver metabolic pathways may not be fully mature (again especially if they're premature) - this is why babies are prone to jaundice. Since the liver is responsible for gluconeogenesis, this can lead to hypoglycaemia. Then you own to consider all the inborn errors of metabolism, such as organic acid disorders, amino tart disorders, which typically are caused by a block in some metabolic pathway, leading to hypoglycaemia. Source(s): PhD biochemistry, work contained by medical lab
Insulin crosses the placenta. When mom has gestational (or other) diabetes mellitus, the baby becomes a core source of insulin, and the Islets of Langerhans will increase in number (nisidioblastosis). After birth and severing the umbilical cord, the source of glucose is cut off dramatically, although the insulin production is not. Sometimes it takes a couple of days of monitoring their glucose, to procure insulin production down regulated.
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