The analysis of risk factors for fetal macrosomia and the complications in the course of pregnancy and delivery of macrosomic baby

Abstract

Newborns weighing 4000g or heavier, are defined as macrosomic. Objectives: The puprose of this study was to present the risk factors of macrosomia, the course of pregnancy and the frequency of maternal outcomes associated with the delivery of macrosomic fetuses. Materials and Methods: The retrospective analysis included 670 gravidas hospitalized at The Department of Reproduction and Obstetrics, Medical University of Wroclaw, between 1999 and 2004, who delivered babies weighing at least 4000g. Results: The majority of macrosomic neonates (80%) were given birth to by women over the age of 25, who gained over 15 kilos in the course of the pregnancy. Macrosomy tends to affect primiparas most frequently. The medium duration of macrosomic pregnancy was 40,61 +/-1,15 weeks. The percentage of deliveries by cesarean section amounts to 38,5%. Vaginal deliveries are burdened with significant risk of maternal complications. Conclusions: Women over 30, medium height or tall, who gain over 15 kilos during the pregnancy, tend to deliver macrosomic babies. Multiparas who had given birth to the marosomic babies once before, are predisposed to deliver macrosomic neonate in the following pregnacy. On the basis of our studies, we have determined 4kg as a borderline birth weight for increased frequency of parturient canal injuries.