In addition to preterm infants, which type of infants are at risk for hypoglycemia?

Large-for-gestational-age infants are at risk for hypoglycemia primarily due to their rapid fetal growth, which often results from increased maternal blood glucose levels, especially if the mother has diabetes or other conditions that elevate her blood sugar. After birth, these infants may continue to have elevated insulin levels, a compensatory mechanism in response to their previous hyperglycemic state in utero. Once their source of glucose from the mother is cut off, they can experience a rapid drop in blood sugar levels, leading to hypoglycemia.

Infants with low birth weight and those born to mothers with gestational diabetes also face risks related to blood sugar regulation, but the mechanisms differ; low birth weight is often associated with undernourishment and may lead to different metabolic responses, while infants of gestational diabetic mothers may have a more variable course post-delivery.

Infants with congenital anomalies can have various complications, but hypoglycemia is not a primary concern directly associated with their conditions compared to the metabolic challenges seen in larger infants or those with specific birth weight dynamics.