Infant of diabetic mother:

Alternative names:

IDM

Definition:

An infant of a diabetic mother is, by definition, an infant born to a diabetic mother but refers specifically to the infant of a mother with persistently elevated blood sugar (glucose).

Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

Elevated blood sugar in pregnant women can cause certain consistent findings in their infants. Infants of diabetic mothers are generally larger and may have large organ systems. These infants may have a hypoglycemic episode shortly after birth because of the increased fetal production of insulin (a substance that moves glucose from the bloodstream into body tissues) in response to maternal high blood sugars. This requires close monitoring of blood sugar levels in these infants. Overall, there is increased chance that mothers with diabetes will miscarry or have a stillborn child.