DR. RIA MASLOG
MEDICAL INSIDER
Infants of Diabetic Mothers
One time, I received a newborn baby and the birthweight
was 4.42 kilos and that was more than 9 lbs. This was
rather large for gestation baby. Usually, mothers who have
diabetes or gestational diabetes will have these large
babies.
The infant of a diabetic mother is large, heavy and fat as
compared to a normal baby. These babies have the
following characteristics:
Overgrown resulting from intrauterine metabolic
aberrations
cushingoid, flabby and fat
and their development and body functions are related
to their gestational age rather than their size
Infants of diabetic mothers also have a tendency for higher
levels of bilirubin and their possibility for developing deep
jaundice is related to their lack of glucuronyl transferase.
In addition to this, 50% of these babies will have glucose
concentrations of less than 30 mg/dl in the first six hours
of life, thus pediatricians and NICU staff are monitoring
them closely to avoid hypoglycemia and its complications.
This is one best example that all pregnant women should
be managed well and be seen by an obstetrician so that
problems like this be given attention to avoid incidence of
intrauterine and intrapartum fetal loss as well as neonatal
deaths.