An infant born to a mother with diabetes is at high risk for which conditions?

An infant born to a mother with diabetes faces various risks due to the effects of maternal hyperglycemia on fetal development. Macrosomia refers to an excessive birth weight, which can occur because high levels of glucose in the maternal blood lead to elevated insulin levels in the fetus, causing the baby to grow larger than average. This condition is a common concern for infants born to mothers with uncontrolled diabetes.

Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) is also a significant risk for these infants, particularly when the mother’s diabetes has not been well managed. RDS is often associated with prematurity and can be influenced by factors such as maternal hyperglycemia that predispose the infant to lung immaturity and insufficient surfactant production.

Congenital anomalies, including cardiac and neural tube defects, can occur due to poor glycemic control during the early stages of pregnancy when organogenesis is occurring. The teratogenic effects of high blood sugar levels are well-documented, placing infants at higher risk for various structural abnormalities.

While options mentioning only macrosomia and polyhydramnios or focusing on just one or two of the conditions are valid concerns, they do not encompass the complete spectrum of potential risks associated with maternal diabetes. Therefore, the inclusion of all three