Glucose Homeostasis and the Neonatal Brain: A Sweet Relationship.

Glucose is the primary substrate for energy metabolism in the brain and although the brain is dependent on a constant glucose supply for normal function, both local energy stores and the supply of alternate substrates are limited. In utero, the placenta provides a continuous supply of glucose to the fetus while transition to extrauterine life marks an abrupt change in substrate delivery and a majo…