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In a full-term newborn baby, soon after birth, during the metabolic adjustment, there is a brisk response called suckling ketogenesis. These ketone bodies (KB), namely 3-β-hydroxyl-butyrate and acetoacetate provide alternative energy to glucose for the CNS. However, quantitation of blood KB is not easy and needs large amount of blood. We studied the ontogeny of blood KB and glucose concentration during the first 48 hours of life in healthy newborn babies (n=63) by using a point of care device (Precision Xtra, Abbott) which requires only a drop of blood. We also examined the blood KB levels in SGA, LGA, IUGR, hypoglycemic and infants born to mothers with diabetes.