Is Hypoglycemia an Important Complication in Erythroblastosis Fetalis?

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Abstract
THE PURPOSE of this communication is to call attention to the occurrence of hypoglycemia in infants with moderate or severe erythroblastosis fetalis. This observation has been reported previously1-3 but we believe that it has not received sufficient attention. Infants severely affected with erythroblastosis fetalis often have symptoms of apnea, respiratory distress, cyanosis, limpness, poor feeding, and tremors. These symptoms, while nonspecific, are also commonly found in neonatal hypoglycemia.4 Since we adopted a liberal policy of doing blood glucose determinations in the nursery for any of the above symptoms, we have encountered three cases of hypoglycemia in infants with erythroblastosis fetalis due to Rhesus factor (Rh) incompatibility. The clinical details of these cases are summarized below and the Figure summarizes the course of the blood glucose concentrations observed. Report of Cases Case 1.—A 3,030 gm (6 lb 10½ oz) girl was born to a 24-year-old, gravida 3, para 2,

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