Women's Health and Pediatrics Practice Test 2025 – Complete Exam Prep

Neonatal hypoglycemia occurs when an infant's blood glucose levels are abnormally low, which can lead to serious complications if not addressed promptly. Among the options provided, the infant of a mother who is abusing opioids presents the least risk for developing hypoglycemia.

The primary risk factors for neonatal hypoglycemia are largely associated with maternal health conditions, particularly those that impact the infant's metabolism and endocrine function. For instance, infants born to mothers with diabetes mellitus or gestational diabetes have a higher risk of hypoglycemia due to potential overproduction of insulin in response to elevated maternal blood glucose levels during pregnancy.

Fetal monitoring findings suggestive of perinatal acidemia can indicate stress during delivery, which may also influence the infant's metabolism and serum glucose levels, making it a more significant risk factor for hypoglycemia.

In contrast, while the infant of an opioid-abusing mother may face various health challenges, the direct correlation to hypoglycemia is less established. Opioid exposure does pose risks, but it does not typically lead to the same metabolic changes that are seen in the other scenarios listed. Consequently, this makes the infant of an opioid-abusing mother the least likely to experience neonatal hypoglycemia compared to the others