Blood Sugar Testing For Newborns

We the undersigned members of the HI Community and their Supporters hereby petition the President of the United States, The Honorable Barack H. Obama, to establish a national newborn blood sugar testing protocol.

Congenital hyperinsulinism (excessive insulin production) is the most common cause of persistent or recurring hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in infancy. Many infants and children affected with any of the various forms of hyperinsulinism have recurring, severe episodes of hypoglycemia both before and after diagnosis that can cause seizures, brain damage, and developmental delay. Since undiagnosed hyperinsulinism or failure of treatment for hyperinsulinism significantly increases the risk of mental retardation and permanent brain damage, prompt diagnosis and aggressive treatment are crucial in the fight against this disease.

With a simple blood test, doctors often can tell whether newborns have certain conditions that could eventually cause problems. Even though these conditions are considered rare and most babies are given a clean bill of health, early diagnosis and proper treatment can make the difference between lifelong impairment and healthy development.

Currently, each state varies with their set standards (if they have any) and the majority of blood sugar testing is performed on babies born to mothers with Gestational Diabetes only. We would like to include testing of blood sugar levels in newborns within one hour of birth to the newborn screening tests that all Hospitals in the United States currently offer.

We the undersigned are of the opinion that attention should be focused on both newborn blood sugars and continued research into a cure for Congenital Hyperinsulinism (HI).