Final answer:
Neonatal complications such as hypoglycemia and hypocalcemia, often resulting from maternal hyperglycemia, can lead to seizures and require careful monitoring and treatment. Polycythemia, jaundice, and RDS are other possible conditions that demand attention and management in newborns of hyperglycemic mothers.
Step-by-step explanation:
Neonatal Complications Due to Maternal Hyperglycemia
Maternal hyperglycemia during pregnancy can lead to various neonatal complications as it triggers fetal hyperinsulinemia, causing the fetus to have increased insulin levels. High insulin in the fetus results in several conditions, including an increased risk of birth trauma, such as clavicle fractures or Erb's palsy, the necessity for cesarean section (C/S), and transient tachypnea of the newborn (TTN).
Hypoglycemia is a common complication among infants born to hyperglycemic mothers, presenting a risk for neonatal seizures. Constant monitoring of blood glucose levels is crucial, and treatment involves feeding frequently if glucose levels are below 40 mg/dL and administering intravenous dextrose if levels fall below 20 mg/dL. Additionally, neonates may experience hypocalcemia, which can also lead to seizures; thus, checking calcium levels is critical.
Another condition that may arise is polycythemia, which occurs because large infants require more oxygen, leading to hypoxia and increased erythropoietin (EPO) production, potentially causing renal or splenic vein thromboses. Jaundice is also more common in these infants due to the increased breakdown of the elevated number of red blood cells, increasing the risk for kernicterus. Moreover, respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) may develop since high insulin levels interfere with the normal cortisol surge that stimulates lung maturation before birth, leading to insufficient lung development.