A nurse is providing education to a pregnant client with gestational diabetes.

The nurse explains that if the baby develops low blood sugar after birth due to excess insulin production, it can lead to which of the following complications if left untreated?

The correct answer is

B. Need for induced labor or cesarean section.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a condition where the mother has high blood sugar levels during pregnancy.

This can affect the growth and development of the baby.

One of the possible complications of GDM is fetal macrosomia, which means the baby is larger than normal for its gestational age.Macrosomia is usually defined as a birth weight above 4000 to 4500 grams (or 9 to 10 pounds).

Macrosomia can cause difficulties during delivery, such as shoulder dystocia, which is when the baby’s shoulder gets stuck behind the mother’s pelvic bone.This can lead to injuries to the baby’s nerves, bones, or muscles, or to the mother’s vagina, uterus, or bladder.To prevent these complications, doctors may recommend inducing labor or performing a cesarean section (C-section) to deliver the baby safely.

The other statements are wrong because:

A. Increased risk of jaundice.

Jaundice is a condition where the baby’s skin and eyes turn yellow due to high levels of bilirubin in the blood.

Bilirubin is a waste product that is normally removed by the liver.Jaundice can occur in any newborn, but it is more common in babies with GDM because they may have polycythemia (too many red blood cells) or hypoglycemia (low blood sugar levels) that can affect the liver function.

However, jaundice is not directly related to macrosomia and does not cause difficulties during delivery.

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C. Development of preeclampsia.

Preeclampsia is a serious condition where the mother develops high blood pressure and protein in the urine after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Preeclampsia can cause complications such as seizures, stroke, organ damage, or placental abruption (when the placenta separates from the uterus before delivery).Preeclampsia can increase the risk of fetal growth restriction (when the baby does not grow well in the womb), not macrosomia.

Preeclampsia can also cause difficulties during delivery, but it is not a result of macrosomia.

D. Higher risk of stillbirth.

Stillbirth is when the baby dies in the womb after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Stillbirth can occur due to various causes, such as infections, genetic abnormalities, placental problems, or umbilical cord accidents.Stillbirth can also occur in babies with GDM because they may have hypoxia (low oxygen levels) or acidosis (high acid levels) in the blood due to poor placental function or uncontrolled blood sugar levels.

However, stillbirth is not directly related to macrosomia and does not cause difficulties during delivery.

The correct answer is choice B. Increased risk of stillbirth.Preeclampsia is a condition that develops in pregnant women, marked by high blood pressure and presence of proteins in urine that indicate kidney damage.If left untreated, preeclampsia can lead to serious complications for both the mother and the baby.

Choice A is wrong because low blood sugar in the baby is not a direct complication of preeclampsia.Low blood sugar can occur in babies whose mothers have diabetes, but it can be prevented by proper management of blood glucose levels during pregnancy.

Choice C is wrong because brain damage due to jaundice is not a direct complication of preeclampsia.

Jaundice is a condition where the baby’s skin and eyes turn yellow due to high levels of bilirubin, a waste product of red blood cells.Jaundice can occur in babies whose mothers have liver problems, but it can be treated by phototherapy or blood transfusion.

Choice D is wrong because respiratory distress syndrome in the baby is not a direct complication of preeclampsia.

Respiratory distress syndrome is a condition where the baby’s lungs are not fully developed and cannot provide enough oxygen to the body.Respiratory distress syndrome can occur in premature babies, but it can be prevented by giving corticosteroids to the mother before delivery to help mature the baby’s lungs.

Normal ranges for blood pressure are 120/80 mmHg or lower for systolic (top number) and diastolic (bottom number) respectively.Normal ranges for protein in urine are less than 150 mg per day or less than 30 mg per liter.