What is the appropriate blood glucose level for a healthy newborn?

The appropriate blood glucose level for a healthy newborn is indeed 40 mg/dL or higher. This threshold is important because maintaining a blood sugar level above this value helps ensure that the newborn's energy needs are met adequately. Newborns are at risk for hypoglycemia due to their small glycogen stores and the fact that they have not yet fully developed the ability to metabolize glucose efficiently.

Keeping blood glucose levels at or above 40 mg/dL is essential for preventing symptoms of hypoglycemia, which can include irritability, lethargy, and, in severe cases, seizures or neurological damage. Monitoring and managing an infant’s blood glucose levels immediately after birth is a critical part of newborn care, especially for those at risk for hypoglycemia, such as those with low birth weight or those born to mothers with diabetes.

While other options present varying thresholds that are either too low or too high, 40 mg/dL is aligned with guidelines set forth by pediatric organizations focusing on the health and safety of newborns. This standard reflects the need for vigilance in the early hours of life to ensure the newborn is receiving adequate metabolic support.