The nurse is preparing to teach the postpartum mom about newborn feeding cues.
Which of the following behaviors of the infant would be considered early hunger cues? Select all that apply.

Choice A rationale

Faint red marks on the plantar surface are more common in preterm infants and are not typically seen in post-term infants.

Choice B rationale

Copious vernix is usually seen in preterm infants. Post-term infants often have little to no vernix.

Choice C rationale

Dry, cracked skin is a common finding in post-term infants due to prolonged exposure to the amniotic fluid.

Choice D rationale

Scant scalp hair is more common in preterm infants. Post-term infants usually have more developed hair.

Hyperbilirubinemia

• Symptoms: The neonate does show signs of jaundice (yellowish skin), which is a symptom of hyperbilirubinemia. However, the primary concern here is thelow blood glucose level (30 mg/dL), which is more immediately life-threatening and needs urgent attention.
• Diagnostic Results: The total serum bilirubin level is 5 mg/dL, which is elevated but not critically high. Hyperbilirubinemia might be a secondary concern, but the immediate symptoms and diagnostic results point more towards hypoglycemia.

Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome (NAS)

• Symptoms: NAS typically occurs in newborns exposed to addictive substances in utero, leading to withdrawal symptoms after birth. Common symptoms include irritability, high-pitched crying, tremors, and feeding difficulties.
• History: There is no mention of maternal substance use or withdrawal symptoms like frequent yawning or irritability. The jitteriness and poor feeding could overlap with NAS, but the history of gestational diabetes and the low blood glucose level make hypoglycemia a more likely diagnosis.

Summary

• Hypoglycemia: The neonate’s symptoms (jitteriness, lethargy, poor feeding) and the critically low blood glucose level (30 mg/dL) strongly indicate hypoglycemia. This condition is common in infants of diabetic mothers and large-for-gestational-age infants.