A term infant large for gestational age is at risk for which metabolic complication?

A term infant large for gestational age is at risk for which metabolic complication?

• A. Hyperkalemia
• B. Hypoglycemia
• C. Hypercalcemia
• D. Hyperthermia

Answer: (B)

When a baby is large for gestational age, especially if the mother has diabetes or poor glucose control, the fetus is exposed to high blood sugar and produces more insulin. After birth, the supply of glucose from the mother stops, but the infant’s insulin level remains relatively high for a while. That excess insulin drives glucose into cells and suppresses the liver’s glucose production, so blood glucose falls—leading to neonatal hypoglycemia. This can show up as jitteriness, poor feeding, lethargy, irritability, or, in more serious cases, seizures. Other options aren’t typical metabolic complications associated with being large for gestational age in term infants.

When a baby is large for gestational age, especially if the mother has diabetes or poor glucose control, the fetus is exposed to high blood sugar and produces more insulin. After birth, the supply of glucose from the mother stops, but the infant’s insulin level remains relatively high for a while. That excess insulin drives glucose into cells and suppresses the liver’s glucose production, so blood glucose falls—leading to neonatal hypoglycemia.

This can show up as jitteriness, poor feeding, lethargy, irritability, or, in more serious cases, seizures. Other options aren’t typical metabolic complications associated with being large for gestational age in term infants.