Question
A pregnant woman underwent a check-up at seven months of pregnancy, and the doctor pointed out that her fetus was larger than normal, being classified as a large-bodied baby. How are large-bodied babies produced?
Answer
Large-bodied babies are those who weigh over 4 kilograms at birth. This condition can lead to difficult deliveries and increase the risk of newborn asphyxia and birth injuries. Typically, mothers with diabetes are more prone to giving birth to large-bodied babies, or mothers who consume excessive nutrition during pregnancy. These factors can all contribute to the development of large-bodied babies. When glucose that the pregnant woman cannot metabolize enters the bloodstream, forming hyperglycemia, and these sugars are absorbed by the fetus, they are converted into fat and protein, causing the fetus to gain weight faster than normal. By full term, large-bodied babies may occur.