Transient newborn hypoglycemia and fourth-grade achievement test proficiency: Association and nomograms

Methods: The population consists of a single-center cohort of 1,395 infants born between January 1 and December 31, 1998, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, who had at least 1 recorded glucose concentration (a universal newborn glucose screening policy was in effect). Medical record data from newborns with normoglycemia or transient hypoglycemia were matched with their student achievement test scores in 2008 from the Arkansas Department of Education and anonymized. Logistic models predicting fourth-grade literacy and math proficiency were developed using initial glucose levels, after controlling for perinatal factors, socioeconomic status and maternal education. We examined the relationship using common hypoglycemia cutoffs (35, 40, and 45 mg/dL). Nomograms, which are graphical representations of logistic regression models, were then developed.