Macrosomia

Macrosomia refers to a newborn who's significantly larger than average. A baby diagnosed with this condition has a birth weight of more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams), regardless of his or her gestational age. About 9% of babies worldwide weigh more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces. However, the percentage of babies classified as macrosomic increases significantly among certain populations, such as people of Hispanic descent.

Causes[edit | edit source]

The most common cause of Macrosomia is diabetes in the mother. Other factors can also increase the risk, including:

A previous history of macrosomia
A prolonged pregnancy — one that goes beyond 40 weeks
Obesity in the mother
Excessive weight gain during pregnancy
Being male

Complications[edit | edit source]

Macrosomia can lead to complications for both mother and baby. For the mother, these can include:

Labor problems
Delivery of a large baby can cause both vaginal and perineal lacerations
Increased risk of Cesarean section
Postpartum hemorrhage

For the baby, complications may include:

Low blood sugar
Childhood obesity
Metabolic syndrome
High birth weight can also increase the risk of Stillbirth

Prevention[edit | edit source]

Prevention of macrosomia can be difficult, but there are steps that can be taken to reduce the risk. These include:

Controlling diabetes before and during pregnancy
Maintaining a healthy weight before and during pregnancy
Regular prenatal checkups
Monitoring baby's growth and development

Treatment[edit | edit source]

Treatment for macrosomia depends on the baby's size and the mother's health. If the baby is not too large, vaginal delivery may be possible. If the baby is very large, a cesarean section may be necessary.

Macrosomia Resources
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