What potential complication arises from gestational diabetes?

What potential complication arises from gestational diabetes?

• A. Macrosomia
• B. Hypoglycemia
• C. Preterm labor
• D. Placental abruption

Answer: (A)

Macrosomia is a significant complication associated with gestational diabetes. This condition occurs when a fetus grows excessively large, typically defined as a birth weight of more than 4,000 grams (8 pounds, 13 ounces). The increased glucose levels circulating in the mother's blood due to gestational diabetes lead to higher insulin production in the fetus, which promotes growth and fat deposition. This excessive growth can result in difficulties during delivery, including increased risk for cesarean sections, birth injuries, and post-delivery complications for both the baby and the mother. While other complications such as hypoglycemia in the newborn, preterm labor, and placental abruption can occur in specific contexts of pregnancy, they are not direct consequences of gestational diabetes as macrosomia is. Hypoglycemia can occur in newborns if they are delivered to a mother with gestational diabetes who had high blood sugar levels during pregnancy; however, it is a complication that arises post-delivery rather than a direct impact of gestational diabetes itself. Preterm labor and placental abruption are serious concerns but are not specifically indicative of gestational diabetes. Thus, macrosomia stands out as the primary complication directly linked to gestational diabetes.

Macrosomia is a significant complication associated with gestational diabetes. This condition occurs when a fetus grows excessively large, typically defined as a birth weight of more than 4,000 grams (8 pounds, 13 ounces). The increased glucose levels circulating in the mother's blood due to gestational diabetes lead to higher insulin production in the fetus, which promotes growth and fat deposition. This excessive growth can result in difficulties during delivery, including increased risk for cesarean sections, birth injuries, and post-delivery complications for both the baby and the mother.

While other complications such as hypoglycemia in the newborn, preterm labor, and placental abruption can occur in specific contexts of pregnancy, they are not direct consequences of gestational diabetes as macrosomia is. Hypoglycemia can occur in newborns if they are delivered to a mother with gestational diabetes who had high blood sugar levels during pregnancy; however, it is a complication that arises post-delivery rather than a direct impact of gestational diabetes itself. Preterm labor and placental abruption are serious concerns but are not specifically indicative of gestational diabetes. Thus, macrosomia stands out as the primary complication directly linked to gestational diabetes.