Which condition is associated with decreased glycogen stores in the newborn?

Which condition is associated with decreased glycogen stores in the newborn?

• A. Small for gestational age
• B. Large for gestational age
• C. Maternal diabetes mellitus
• D. Hypoxia or hypothermia

Answer: (A)

Decreased glycogen stores in the newborn are closely associated with being small for gestational age (SGA). SGA infants typically experience intrauterine growth restriction due to various factors like placental insufficiency or maternal health conditions. As a result, these infants often have inadequate glycogen reserves at birth, which can impact their ability to maintain normal blood glucose levels postnatally. Glycogen is essential for immediate energy needs, especially in the early hours after birth when the infant is transitioning to life outside the womb. In contrast, large for gestational age infants usually have ample glycogen stores, which result from excessive maternal glucose being converted into glycogen. Maternal diabetes mellitus can lead to larger babies who are often well-nourished and have sufficient glycogen. Hypoxia or hypothermia could contribute to metabolic issues, but they are not directly linked to decreased glycogen stores as seen in SGA infants. Therefore, being small for gestational age is the condition most clearly associated with decreased glycogen stores in newborns.

Decreased glycogen stores in the newborn are closely associated with being small for gestational age (SGA). SGA infants typically experience intrauterine growth restriction due to various factors like placental insufficiency or maternal health conditions. As a result, these infants often have inadequate glycogen reserves at birth, which can impact their ability to maintain normal blood glucose levels postnatally. Glycogen is essential for immediate energy needs, especially in the early hours after birth when the infant is transitioning to life outside the womb.

In contrast, large for gestational age infants usually have ample glycogen stores, which result from excessive maternal glucose being converted into glycogen. Maternal diabetes mellitus can lead to larger babies who are often well-nourished and have sufficient glycogen. Hypoxia or hypothermia could contribute to metabolic issues, but they are not directly linked to decreased glycogen stores as seen in SGA infants. Therefore, being small for gestational age is the condition most clearly associated with decreased glycogen stores in newborns.