Question

A pregnant woman at 4 weeks' gestation who has preexisting diabetes mellitus visits her primary care provider for a checkup. Which fetal complications might occur because of this maternal condition? Select all that apply.

A. Macrosomia
B. Neural tube defects
C. Respiratory distress syndrome
D. Hypoglycemia

Answer 1

Fetal complications due to preexisting diabetes in pregnancy can include macrosomia, neural tube defects, respiratory distress syndrome, and hypoglycemia. Proper management of the mother's diabetes is important to minimize these risks.

Step-by-step explanation:

Preexisting diabetes mellitus in a pregnant woman can pose various risks to the developing fetus. The complications that might occur due to the maternal condition include:

• Macrosomia: This is where the baby grows larger than normal, often due to elevated blood sugar levels in the mother.
• Neural tube defects: Poor glycemic control can increase the risk of developmental issues in the fetus, including neural tube defects which affect the brain and spinal cord.
• Respiratory distress syndrome: Babies born to mothers with diabetes are at a higher risk for breathing difficulties after birth.
• Hypoglycemia: The baby may be born with low blood sugar levels, as they may produce extra insulin in response to the mother's high blood sugar.

Note that the risk of these complications can be minimized with proper management of the mother's blood sugar levels, regular prenatal care, and nutritional support throughout the pregnancy.