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Dr. Andrew Rynne

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What Causes Abnormal CBC Report And Low Sugar Levels In A Newborn?

My newborn son had an abnormal CBC. They said his white blood cell levels indicated a *possible* infection, but that has not been confirmed. At one point, his sugar level was below 50. With both of these factors, they moved him to NICU. My wife and I are a little distraught because I don t feel like he should be in there. We have his blood sugar above 60 with my wife s breast feeding finally coming in like it s supposed to. And all that he really gets in NICU that isn t anywhere else is the antibiotics they have him on, which they administer once daily. She has been discharged as of yesterday, but they are saying he could be in here another week, making our entire visit here 10+ days. My first priority is the well-being of my son, and I would do anything and everything necessary to make sure he is in the best health. However, this really feels like a way to just get more money out of our insurance. Also, while he was in NICU without us, he was fed formula (strictly against our wishes and demands) several times, was put on the antibiotic IV and has had at least 2 X-Rays (that I know of) before we were told anything. In other words, they do things first and inform us later. No doctor has talked to me about any of this, and I want to get to the bottom of what I should or should not be doing. I just wanted some medical advice before I move forward with the hard questions.
Fri, 23 Feb 2018
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Pediatrician, Neonatology 's  Response
Hello,

Newborn infection is quite common and that requires iv antibiotics and NICU admission which is done here. They are tiny so infection spreads very fast through blood and affects the lungs and intestine which is risky.

To be sure about the status of these organs only x-ray is done which is perfect. And sometimes it becomes absolutely necessary and urgent so it is always not possible for the neonatologists to ask the parents before doing some intervention.

Same is true for milk also, when mother's expressed breast milk is not enough (which is quite normal for early days of post childbirth) and baby needs extra milk there is no other option except formula. With the entire IV lines direct breast feeding is quite problematic at NICU. So, the baby's treatment is going in the right way I feel.

Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr. Raktima Chakrabarti
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What Causes Abnormal CBC Report And Low Sugar Levels In A Newborn?

Hello, Newborn infection is quite common and that requires iv antibiotics and NICU admission which is done here. They are tiny so infection spreads very fast through blood and affects the lungs and intestine which is risky. To be sure about the status of these organs only x-ray is done which is perfect. And sometimes it becomes absolutely necessary and urgent so it is always not possible for the neonatologists to ask the parents before doing some intervention. Same is true for milk also, when mother s expressed breast milk is not enough (which is quite normal for early days of post childbirth) and baby needs extra milk there is no other option except formula. With the entire IV lines direct breast feeding is quite problematic at NICU. So, the baby s treatment is going in the right way I feel. Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further. Regards, Dr. Raktima Chakrabarti