What complication might a large for gestational age (LGA) infant experience?

When considering complications that a large for gestational age (LGA) infant might experience, facial nerve damage is a significant concern, particularly due to the increased likelihood of traumatic delivery associated with their larger size. LGA infants often face difficulties during birth, especially if they are macrosomic and the delivery is complicated by shoulder dystocia. This condition occurs when the infant's shoulder gets stuck behind the mother's pubic bone, which can lead to excessive pulling during delivery attempts. Such mechanical forces can result in injury to the facial nerve, manifesting as weakness or paralysis on one side of the face.

While the other complications mentioned can occur in various circumstances, they are less specifically associated with LGA infants. For example, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) is more commonly seen in premature infants. Poor suck-swallow-breathing coordination can occur in various newborns regardless of size but is particularly linked to preterm infants. Increased bilirubin levels may also be a concern for LGA infants, particularly if there are factors such as increased red cell mass or bruising from delivery, but facial nerve damage is specifically noted due to the potential birth trauma associated with their larger size. Thus, choosing facial nerve damage highlights a critical and relevant risk specifically tied