Glucagon and insulin cord blood levels in very preterm, late preterm and full-term infants.

Background: The cause of hyperglycemia, a frequent disorder of glucose homeostasis in very preterm infants, is still unknown.

Objectives: Determine the glucagon and insulin plasma levels at birth in healthy, appropriate for gestational age (AGA) infants born by elective cesarean section (ECS), at different gestational age.

Methods: Glucagon, insulin and the homeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index were measured in cord blood in 52 AGA infants divided into three groups: ≤30 weeks, very preterm (VP, n=16); 35-37 weeks, late preterm (LP, n=18); ≥38 weeks, full term (FT, n=18).