NACE Care of Childbearing Family Practice Test

In infants of diabetic mothers, jitteriness is primarily caused by hypoglycemia. Infants of mothers with diabetes may have difficulties maintaining their blood sugar levels after birth due to their adjustment to life outside the womb. If the infant experiences low blood glucose levels, it can lead to symptoms such as jitteriness, irritability, and poor feeding.

Hypoglycemia occurs when there is an imbalance between the high levels of insulin that these infants are often producing (due to the mother's elevated blood sugar levels during pregnancy) and the glucose available in their bloodstream. This can overwhelm the child's ability to stabilize their blood glucose levels, leading to the jitteriness observed.

While factors like hyperglycemia, maternity complications, and low birth weight can also impact neonatal outcomes, they do not directly cause the jitteriness that is associated with low blood sugar levels in these infants. Recognizing and addressing hypoglycemia promptly is crucial for managing the health of infants born to mothers with diabetes.