Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Practice Exam

In a neonate, hypoglycemia is most commonly caused by which condition?

1. Maternal diabetes

2. Intrauterine growth restriction

3. Neonatal sepsis

4. Trauma during delivery

The correct answer is: Maternal diabetes

Hypoglycemia in neonates is most commonly associated with maternal diabetes, particularly if the mother has poorly controlled blood sugar levels during pregnancy. When a pregnant woman has diabetes, her elevated blood glucose levels can lead to increased insulin production in the fetus. After birth, when the umbilical cord is clamped, the neonate may experience a sudden drop in blood glucose levels as they are no longer receiving glucose from the mother. This is particularly pronounced in infants of mothers with gestational diabetes or pre-existing diabetes, leading to a greater risk of hypoglycemia in the newborn. While intrauterine growth restriction can lead to hypoglycemia, the mechanism is less direct compared to those resulting from maternal diabetes. Neonatal sepsis can also cause metabolic disturbances including hypoglycemia but is not the primary cause. Trauma during delivery may lead to a range of complications, but hypoglycemia is not a common direct result of such trauma. Thus, maternal diabetes stands out as the most significant and frequent cause of neonatal hypoglycemia.