Which of the following is a risk factor for neonatal hypoglycemia?

Which of the following is a risk factor for neonatal hypoglycemia?

• A. Maternal age over 35
• B. Exclusive breastfeeding
• C. Small for gestational age (SGA)
• D. Full-term delivery

Answer: (C)

Small for gestational age (SGA) is a recognized risk factor for neonatal hypoglycemia because infants who are SGA tend to have inadequate glycogen stores and may struggle to maintain normal blood glucose levels shortly after birth. These infants often experience stress and may be more vulnerable to fluctuations in their blood sugar levels. In contrast, factors like maternal age over 35 and exclusive breastfeeding do not directly contribute to the infant's ability to maintain adequate blood glucose levels in the same way. Full-term delivery typically indicates that a baby has had the full duration of gestation to develop and accumulate necessary reserves, which helps to mitigate the risk of hypoglycemia. Therefore, being SGA specifically heightens the risk for low blood sugar after birth due to physiological and metabolic challenges.

Small for gestational age (SGA) is a recognized risk factor for neonatal hypoglycemia because infants who are SGA tend to have inadequate glycogen stores and may struggle to maintain normal blood glucose levels shortly after birth. These infants often experience stress and may be more vulnerable to fluctuations in their blood sugar levels.

In contrast, factors like maternal age over 35 and exclusive breastfeeding do not directly contribute to the infant's ability to maintain adequate blood glucose levels in the same way. Full-term delivery typically indicates that a baby has had the full duration of gestation to develop and accumulate necessary reserves, which helps to mitigate the risk of hypoglycemia. Therefore, being SGA specifically heightens the risk for low blood sugar after birth due to physiological and metabolic challenges.