What health complication can result from untreated gestational diabetes?

Untreated gestational diabetes can lead to a range of complications, one of which is birth trauma. This outcome often stems from factors such as excessive fetal growth (macrosomia) due to high maternal blood glucose levels. When the fetus grows larger than usual, it increases the likelihood of complications during delivery, such as shoulder dystocia, where the baby’s shoulder becomes stuck during birth. This can result in physical injuries to both the baby and the mother.

The condition can also lead to other long-term issues for the baby, such as an increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life. However, in terms of immediate risks during delivery, birth trauma is a significant concern for infants born to mothers with untreated gestational diabetes.

Considering the other options, while dehydration could potentially occur in cases of severe hyperglycemia, it is not a direct or common complication associated with untreated gestational diabetes. High iron levels are typically not a direct consequence of gestational diabetes, as iron metabolism is not directly impacted by glucose levels. Cardiovascular disease can be a concern for mothers with a history of gestational diabetes in the long term but is not an immediate complication of untreated gestational diabetes. Thus, birth trauma represents the most direct health complication related to