Neonatal hypoglycaemia (low blood glucose concentrations) is common soon after birth, and can cause brain injury. In Aotearoa New Zealand Māori, Pacific and Asian babies are most likely to be born at increased risk. Care of these babies usually includes repeated blood tests and often admission to an intensive care unit. Thus, their families often experience considerable practical, physical and emotional stress. However, little information is available about how families experience this care pathway, or how it might be improved to appropriately address specific cultural preferences. Three articles in this issue of the Journal report studies of affected Māori, Pacific and Asian families, each conducted and interpreted from a specific cultural lens. They show that even when concerns were consistent, the lived experience of these differed between groups, and the best approaches to support families are culturally and context specific. These findings will be used to inform future practice recommendations.
Keywords: follow-up studies; health equity; hypoglycaemia; infant; interview; newborn; perinatal care.