Maternal Obesity and Cesarean Section Delivery: Additional Risk Factors for Neonatal Hypoglycemia?

OBJECTIVES: To determine 1) whether higher maternal body mass index (BMI) and Cesarean (C) Section mode of delivery are associated with neonatal hypoglycemia (NH) and 2) whether timing of NH onset differs by risk factors. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study (n=4602) to determine the odds of NH, NH requiring IV dextrose and timing of NH onset among infants with established and plausible (BMI and C-section) risk factors. RESULT: Infants born to class III obese mothers had higher odds of NH (OR 1.3, 95% CI 1.0–1.8) and of requiring IV dextrose (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.2–3.9). Infants born via C-section had higher odds of requiring IV dextrose (OR 1.4, 95% CI 1.1–1.9). Infants who were delivered to high BMI mothers and by C-section developed NH earlier than the reference group. CONCLUSION: Determining the predictors and timing of NH onset may help develop tailored evaluation and management strategies for at-risk neonates.