Last Updated on February 14, 2023 by Dr. Shikha Shiromani
In gestational diabetes mellitus, a higher amount of blood glucose passes through the placenta into foetal circulation. As a result, extra glucose in the foetus is stored as body fat, causing it to be ‘large for gestational age’. This article summarizes questions, such as if gestational diabetes increases a baby’s size and if yes, what are the complications of a big-sized baby?
Can gestational diabetes increase a baby’s size?
Yes. Gestational diabetes can cause serious problems if it remains untreated. If your blood sugar levels remain elevated during pregnancy, too much glucose ends up in the baby’s blood. In order to process the extra sugar in the blood, the pancreas of the baby needs to produce more insulin. Too much blood sugar and insulin can make the baby put on excess weight. This can lead to macrosomia, a condition in which the baby grows very large.
Why is a big baby seen as a complication of gestational diabetes?
A big baby is often seen as a potential complication in gestational diabetes because high blood sugar levels in the mother can cause the baby to grow excessively large, a condition known as macrosomia. Foetal macrosomia is defined as a birth weight ≥ 4,000 g.
This can make delivery more difficult and increase the risk of birth injuries, such as shoulder dystocia, for the baby, where the baby’s head emerges, but its shoulders get stuck inside of your uterus. It can also cause an increased risk of cesarean delivery (C-section) and trauma to the birth canal and the foetus. It can even cause congenital birth defects in babies. Additionally, macrosomia babies born to mothers with gestational diabetes are at a higher risk of becoming overweight or developing type 2 diabetes later in life. Therefore, it’s important for women with gestational diabetes to receive proper treatment to manage their blood sugar levels and prevent excessive fetal growth. This can help ensure a healthy pregnancy and delivery.
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