What is a common cause of symptoms indicating hypoglycemia in large infants?

The correct answer relates to the relationship between caloric intake and glycogen stores in large infants, particularly those who are macrosomic or larger than average size. These infants often have higher caloric needs to maintain their glycogen stores, especially shortly after birth when they are transitioning from the intrauterine to extrauterine environment. If these infants do not receive adequate caloric intake shortly after delivery, their glycogen reserves can diminish rapidly leading to hypoglycemia.

Hypoglycemia is particularly likely in large infants because their increased mass can result in increased demands for glucose to support their metabolic processes. If their caloric intake is not sufficient to meet these demands, the glycogen stores that provide energy will be quickly depleted, leading to the symptoms associated with hypoglycemia, such as jitteriness, lethargy, or poor feeding.

In contrast, other factors listed in the options do not have the same direct relationship with hypoglycemia in large infants. Lower metabolic demands would suggest a lesser need for glucose and calorie intake, while an increased maternal glucose supply typically leads to larger infants but not directly to hypoglycemia. Excessive feeding after birth could oversupply calories but is less likely to be a common cause of hypoglycemia compared to the need