What is a potential risk for infants born to mothers with diabetes mellitus?

Infants born to mothers with diabetes mellitus are at an increased risk for hypoglycemia shortly after birth. This condition can arise due to the high levels of glucose in the mother's blood during pregnancy, which stimulates the infant's pancreas to produce extra insulin. After birth, the source of excess glucose is removed, but the infant's insulin production may remain high, leading to a rapid drop in blood sugar levels. This hypoglycemia can manifest as lethargy, irritability, and feeding difficulties, and requires prompt management to prevent potential neurological damage.

The other options, while they may be associated with health risks in the general population or with other conditions, are not the immediate or most direct complications related to infants born to mothers with diabetes. For example, while children born to mothers with diabetes may have an increased risk of obesity later in life, the acute risk of hypoglycemia at birth is more critical to address in newborns. Similarly, liver complications and childhood hypertension may occur, but they are generally not immediate concerns in the context of neonatal care. Understanding these risks is essential for healthcare providers in order to monitor and manage infants effectively after delivery.