Final answer:
b) Hyperglycemia
The #1 cause of infant illness when the mother has diabetes is birth defects, which can result from fetal hyperglycemia. This can also lead to premature birth and difficulties such as Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS) due to insufficient production of pulmonary surfactant.
Step-by-step explanation:
The #1 cause of infant illness when the mother has diabetes is birth defects. Maternal diabetes can lead to hyperglycemia in the fetus, resulting in a range of potential complications including defects in the heart, spine, and brain. Babies born to mothers with diabetes are also at risk of being born prematurely before type II cells produce sufficient pulmonary surfactant, which may cause difficulty inflating the lungs and increase the risk for Respiratory Distress Syndrome (RDS).
Other infant health issues associated with maternal diabetes can include macrosomia (babies born significantly larger than average), which may lead to delivery complications, and hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) after birth, as the infant's insulin production adjusts to normal levels. It is essential for mothers with diabetes to manage their blood sugar levels effectively before and during pregnancy to minimize these risks.