Association Between Hypertensive Disorders During Pregnancy and Hypoglycemia Among Exclusively Breastfed Term Newborns

Introduction: Hypertensive disorders complicate up to 10% of pregnancies and may contribute to neonatal hypoglycemia, a condition affecting 10%–15% of newborns and associated with neurodevelopmental risks. This study aimed to determine the association between hypertensive disorders and hypoglycemia among exclusively breastfed term newborns and to assess its incidence within 24 hours of life. Methods: This prospective cross-sectional study enrolled 21 term newborns (37–42 weeks) from hypertensive mothers at UST Hospital (January 2023–September 2024). Capillary blood glucose was measured at 1, 3, 6, 12 and 24 hours of life. Hypoglycemia was defined as per American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines (<40 mg/dL in the first 4 hours, <45 mg/dL at 4–24 hours). Maternal and neonatal factors were also recorded. Results: The mean maternal age was 33.4 years and mean gestational age 38.2 weeks. Chronic hypertension and preeclampsia were the most common hypertensive disorders. Three neonates (14.3%) developed hypoglycemia, all born to mothers with preeclampsia. No statistically significant associations were found between hypertensive disorders and hypoglycemia. Patterns observed included male sex, cesarean delivery and abnormal maternal body mass index (BMI) in affected cases. Discussion: The observed incidence of 14.3% was higher than in large population-based studies, likely reflecting the small sample size. While no associations reached significance, trends mirrored previous research linking maternal BMI, male sex and cesarean delivery to hypoglycemia. Conclusion: This study did not establish a significant association between hypertensive disorders and neonatal hypoglycemia. Larger, multicenter studies are needed to clarify risk factors. Vigilant monitoring, early feeding and glucose management remain essential for newborns of hypertensive mothers. Keywords: Hypoglycemia, hypertensive disorders, pregnancy, breastfed, newborns