多导睡眠图在儿童鼾症诊断中的应用

目的探讨鼾症儿童多导睡眠图(PSG)检测的特点及临床价值。 方法应用PSG对2001~2004年广东省佛山市第一人民医院收治的66例以打鼾为主诉的患儿，进行夜间连续睡眠呼吸监测7h，以PSG的监测结果作为诊断依据，将患儿分成阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAS)组及非OSAS组即原发性打鼾(PS)组。监测指标：鼾声指数、呼吸紊乱指数(AHI)、最低氧饱和度(LSaO2)、血氧下降≥003的次数、SaO2<090的时间等，对各指标进行分析。 结果66例鼾症儿童中确诊为OSAS为43例(652%)，PS者23例(348%)。两组患儿的年龄、性别比、体重指数差异无显著性，而两组患儿的AHI、鼾声指数、LSaO2、血氧下降≥003的次数、SaO2<090的时间差异均有显著性(P<005)。 结论PSG是鉴别诊断OSAS与PS的重要方法。打鼾患儿应及早行PSG检查，以便早期诊断及治疗OSAS，避免OSAS的并发症产生。     

儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征合并与不合并注意缺陷/多动障碍的多导睡眠图的比较

目的通过对比合并与不合并注意缺陷多动障碍(ADHD)的阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(OSAHS)儿童的多导睡眠监测指标，试图从睡眠结构和 睡眠主要参数的层次上来探讨ADHD的发病机制。 方法选择2004-01—2006-10于广州市儿童医院就诊的OSAHS患儿36例作为OSAHS组，合并有OSAHS的ADHD患儿20例作为观察组，选取无OSAHS及 ADHD的儿童30例作为对照组，三组之间在年龄、性别、体重指数等方面相比，差异无显著性。通过多导睡眠监测(PSG)，并由神经康复科专科医 生对其是否患有ADHD作出诊断。采用相应的统计学方法，对OSAHS组、观察组及对照组的睡眠结构进行比较，并对OSAHS组和观察组进行呼吸事 件及血氧状况的比较。 结果(1)与对照组相比，OSAHS组及观察组睡眠Ⅰ期增加，睡眠Ⅱ期、SWS及REM睡眠减少，差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)，OSAHS组的REM%为8.66± 3.94，观察组的REM%为5.65±5.41，REM%的改变有统计学意义(P<0.05)。(2)观察组儿童呼吸事件的次数与持续时间及血氧饱和度下降较OSAHS 儿童严重，差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。 结论观察组儿童REM%及血氧饱和度的下降可能在ADHD的发病中起一定的作用。     

睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征患儿的肺功能变化及其预测价值

目的观察临床具有鼾症和睡眠障碍病史、拟诊为睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征(SAHS)患儿的肺功能变化及其对多导睡眠图(PSG)结果的预测价值。 方法36例患儿经整夜的多导睡眠图监测，计算出呼吸紊乱指数(AHI)、呼吸暂停指数(AI)、低通气指数(HI)；对所有患儿行日间肺功能检测(脉冲振荡法IOS)，检测通气功能及气道阻抗等多个参数。将PSG阳性结果组和PSG阴性结果组患儿的多个肺功能参数应用统计学软件作分析比较，并用多元线性回归及Logistic回归分析AHI与肺功能参数的依赖关系。 结果两组患儿气道阻抗(R5)和1秒用力呼气容积/最高呼气流量(FEV1/PEF)差异有显著性。PSG阳性组的R5及FEV1/PEF明显升高，治疗后有不同程度改善。应用Logistic分析得出回归方程Log it(P)=-12.03446-0.535244×R5+5.797626×FEV1/PEF。即应用R5和FEV1/PEF可以推算出患儿出现PSG阳性结果的概率。 结论可以考虑将肺功能作为儿童SAHS的辅助检查方法之一，尤其是PSG检查前的筛查及对PSG阳性结果的预测，以探讨简便经济的筛查方法。     

儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征对耳蜗功能影响的研究

目的探讨儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAS)对耳蜗功能的影响。 方法将2002年6月至2003年8月广州市儿童医院收治的26例(52耳)OSAS患儿的畸变产物耳声发射(DPOAE)的结果与２８例(56耳)正常儿童DPOAE结果进行比较。 结果26例OSAS患儿多导睡眠图(PSG)示最低血氧饱和度(5791±1861),呼吸紊乱指数(2910±2331)，与正常儿童相比差异均有显著性意义。OSAS患儿F1~F4频率段DPOAE反应幅值与正常组比较，差异无显著性意义(P>005)；F4~F11频率段的DPOAE反应幅值及F1~F11频率段DPOAE检出率均较正常儿童低,差异有显著性意义(P<005)。 结论OSAS能导致患儿耳蜗功能受损，对OSAS患儿应常规做耳声发射检查，做到早诊断、早治疗。     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合征血清食欲素-A变化及意义研究

摘要：目的　探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停低通气综合症患儿血清食欲素-A水平的变化及意义 。方法　选择30名OSAHS患儿（ OSAHS组）、健康儿童20名（正常对照组）和单纯肥胖者30例（单纯肥胖组）,所有受试者均接受多导睡眠仪监测,采用竞争酶联免疫分析法（EIA）测定血清食欲素-A水平。结果　OSAHS组血清食欲素-A水平（0.48±0.10） μg/mL 高于单纯肥胖组［（0.29±0.07） μg/mL,P < 0.01］及正常对照组［（0.30±0.12） μg/mL,P < 0.01］。OSAHS患儿血清Orexin-A水平与呼吸暂停低通气指数（AHI）、微觉醒指数呈正相关（r = 0.427、0.468,均 P < 0.05）,与最低血样饱和度（LSaO2）、平均血氧饱和度（MSaO2）呈负相关（r = -0.527、-0.541 ,均P < 0.01）,OSAHS组及单纯肥胖组血清Orexin-A水平与BMI无相关性（P > 0.05）。结论　儿童OSAHS食欲素-A水平升高,其原因可能与睡眠时频繁唤醒、睡眠片段化、低氧血症有关。食欲素-A可能作为一个血清标志物来初步筛查可疑OSAHS患儿。     

COPD合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸低通气综合征的临床分析

目的：研究慢性阻塞性肺疾病（COPD）合并阻塞性睡眠呼吸低通气综合征（OSAHS）对肺功能、血氧饱和度（SaO2）的影响。方法：对30例COPD和25例重叠综合征患者的肺功能、血氧饱和度、睡眠呼吸暂停低通气指数（AHI）、体重指数（BMI）进行比较。结果：重叠综合征组与COPD组的夜间最低SaO2有显著性差异（P〈0.05）,AHI有显著性差异（P〈0.05）。结论：重叠综合征夜间缺氧往往比单纯的COPD更为明显。应该早诊断,早治疗,减少并发症。     

阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征患儿血浆内皮素 1与血管紧张素Ⅱ水平的检测及分析

目的探讨儿童阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAS)患儿血浆内皮素 1(ET 1)和血管紧张素Ⅱ(AngⅡ)水平的变化及临床意义。 方法选择广州市2004年2月至2004年11月在儿童医院住院治疗的80例OSAS患儿及30例正常儿童，测定血浆ET 1及AngⅡ水平。 结果与正常儿童相比，OSAS患儿血浆ET 1及AngⅡ水平明显增高，差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。ET 1水平对多导睡眠图(PSG)结果无明显影响；AngⅡ浓度与最低SaO2相关。 结论血浆ET 1和AngⅡ水平增加与OSAS发病有一定的关系。     

小儿阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征并肺动脉高压２例围术期处理回顾分析

摘要：目的　探讨阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征（OSAHS）并肺动脉高压患儿的围术期处理方案。方法　回顾性分析2006年4月至2009年5月广州儿童医院收治的2例OSAHS并肺动脉高压患儿的临床资料并复习相关文献。1例患儿在肺动脉高压未纠正前接受传统方法扁桃体剥离联合腺样体刮除手术，1例患儿术前进行持续正压通气治疗，纠正肺动脉高压后接受等离子双扁桃体切除联合腺样体消融手术。结果　术前纠正肺动脉高压患儿手术顺利，术中及术后未出现任何并发症，术前未纠正肺动脉高压患儿术后反复出现严重低血氧症，导致不能正常拔除气管插管，在重症监护室2d后才转入普通病房。对2例患儿进行3个月以上随访，睡眠打鼾、张口呼吸、憋气均明显改善，呼吸暂停指数术前分别为90.0、29.2，术后为3.5、4.6；夜间最低血氧饱和度0.43、0.63，手术后为0.95、0.92，取得了满意的效果。结论　伴扁桃体腺样体肥大的OSAHS患儿，手术是一线治疗方案，但OSAHS并肺动脉高压患儿手术风险大，并发症出现率高，围术期处理非常重要，持续正压通气治疗可纠正患儿肺动脉高压，从而提高手术安全性。     

手术治疗对阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征患儿睡眠结构的影响

目的观察扁桃体和(或)腺样体切除术后阻塞性睡眠呼吸暂停综合征(OSAS)儿童睡眠结构的改变，探讨OSAS儿童术后症状改善的病理生理学基础。 方法对1998年12月至2003年10月广州市儿童医院收治的115例OSAS儿童进行扁桃体和(或)腺样体切除，并分别于术前及术后3个月于夜间睡眠时进行多导睡眠监测。比较手术前后宏观睡眠结构和微观睡眠结构的变化。 结果手术治疗对OSAS儿童宏观睡眠结构无明显改善。微观睡眠结构：术后觉醒指数(27±02)较术前(62±04)明显减小(t=725,P<001)。 结论扁桃体和(或)腺样体切除对OSAS儿童睡眠结构的改善主要体现在微观睡眠结构上，即觉醒指数明显减小。因此微观睡眠结构的改善应该是OSAS儿童术后症状改善的病理生理学基础。     

小儿鼾症病因对睡眠障碍及生长发育影响的调查分析

目的分析小儿鼾症病因对睡眠障碍及生长发育的影响。方法总结72例鼾症患儿的病因。对5～8岁扁桃体及腺样体肥大的鼾症患儿34例进行临床症状统计,分析小儿鼾症对睡眠障碍的影响;同时选取37例5～8岁正常儿童作为正常对照组,与同年龄段扁桃体及腺样体肥大的鼾症患儿相比较,分析睡眠质量对生长发育的影响。结果小儿鼾症的主要病因为扁桃体及腺样体肥大;临床症状中入睡打鼾、张口呼吸为主要症状,伴随症状中主要表现为注意力缺陷、夜间睡眠反复惊醒。5～8岁鼾症患儿夜间睡眠总量缩短;～7岁鼾症患儿当前身高、当前体质量降低;～8岁鼾症患儿当前身高、当前体质量降低,夜间睡眠觉醒次数增多,与正常儿童比较差异均有统计学意义（P〈0．05,0．01）。结论小儿鼾症影响睡眠,导致睡眠障碍,进而影响生长发育。     

Malpresentations--impact on mode of delivery

Fetal malpresentation, including persistent occipitoposterior position, is a major cause of dystocia resulting in obstetric interventions. We studied malpresentation among 11 957 consecutive singleton deliveries from 1995 to 2004. There were 1 030 deliveries with a malpresentation (8.6%). Cephalic malpresentations occurred in 5.4% of deliveries (persistent occipitoposterior 5.2%, face 0.1%, brow 0.14%), and 3.1% had breech presentation and 0.12% a transverse lie. The odds ratios (OR) for cesarean section were 14.89 (95%CI 11.91-18.63) in breech presentation and 4.57 (95% CI 3.85-5.42) in persistent occipitoposterior presentation. With persistent occipitoposterior position, the OR for instrumental vaginal delivery was 3.84 (95%CI 3.14-4.70). Primiparity was associated with increased malpresentation risks, as 54.6% of those with malpresentations were primiparous compared with 41.7% of those without (OR 1.68, 95%CI 1.48-1.91, p < 0.001). Primiparous women required more cesarean sections (OR 1.92, 95%CI 1.50-2.47) and instrumental deliveries (OR 2.89, 95%CI 1.50-2.47). Malpresentation frequently leads to cesarean section or instrumental delivery, especially among primiparous women.     

Shoulder dystocia at noninstrumental vaginal delivery

This study examines the relationship between episiotomy and the occurrence of shoulder dystocia among noninstrumental vaginal deliveries. Analysis of data from a retrospective database was used to study noninstrumental vaginal deliveries in New Jersey during the years 1996 to 2001. The episiotomy group and nonepisiotomy group were analyzed separately using univariate and multivariate analysis. Among 358,664 deliveries, rate of shoulder dystocia was 1.0% (n = 3596). Thirty-five percent of deliveries were assisted by episiotomy. Rate of dystocia was 1.42% with the use of episiotomy, and 0.81% when episiotomy was not used. This increased rate with episiotomy was noted across all of the racial groups, all birthweight categories, and all of the risk factor subgroups analyzed. There was a gradual decrease in the use of episiotomy from 37.30 to 26.03% without a corresponding increase in the rate of dystocia. Among noninstrumental deliveries, the rate of shoulder dystocia is higher in the episiotomy group. Decrease in the use of episiotomy has not resulted in an increase in the occurrence of dystocia.     

Influence of persistent occiput posterior position on delivery outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the influence of intrapartum persistent occiput posterior position of the fetal head on delivery outcome and anal sphincter injury, with reference to the association with epidural analgesia. METHODS: We conducted a prospective observational study of 246 women with persistent occiput posterior position in labor during a 2-year period, compared with 13,543 contemporaneous vaginal deliveries with occiput anterior position. RESULTS: The incidence of persistent occiput posterior position was significantly greater among primiparas (2.4%) than multiparas (1.3%; P <.001; 95% confidence interval 1.4, 2.4) and was associated with significantly higher incidences of prolonged pregnancy, induction of labor, oxytocin augmentation of labor, epidural use, and prolonged labor. Only 29% of primiparas and 55% of multiparas with persistent occiput posterior position achieved spontaneous vaginal delivery, and the malposition was associated with 12% of all cesarean deliveries performed because of dystocia. Persistent occiput posterior position was also associated with a sevenfold higher incidence of anal sphincter disruption. Despite a high overall incidence of use of epidural analgesia (47% versus 3%), the institutional incidence of persistent occiput posterior position was lower than that reported 25 years ago. CONCLUSION: Persistent occiput posterior position contributed disproportionately to cesarean and instrumental delivery, with fewer than half of the occiput posterior labors ending in spontaneous delivery and the position accounting for 12% of all cesarean deliveries for dystocia. Persistent occiput posterior position leads to a sevenfold increase in the incidence of anal sphincter injury. Use of epidural analgesia was not related to the malposition.     

Episiotomy: the final cut?

Objective

To investigate whether episiotomy prevents 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears in critical conditions such as shoulder dystocia, instrumental deliveries (vacuum or forceps), persistent occiput-posterior position, fetal macrosomia (>4,000?g), and non-reassuring fetal heart rate (NRFHR) patterns.

Methods

A retrospective study comparing 3rd and 4th degree perineal tears during vaginal deliveries with or without episiotomy, in selected critical conditions was performed. Multiple gestations, preterm deliveries (<37?weeks’ gestation) and cesarean deliveries were excluded from the analysis. Stratified analysis (using the Mantel–Haenszel technique) was used to obtain the weighted odds ratio (OR), while controlling for these variables.

Results

During the study period, there were 168,077 singleton vaginal deliveries. Of those, 188 (0.1?%) had 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears. Vaginal deliveries with episiotomy had statistically significant higher rates of 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears than those without episiotomy (0.2 vs. 0.1?%; P?<?0.001). The association between episiotomy and severe perineal tears remained significant even in the critical conditions. Stratified analysis revealed that the adjusted ORs for 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears in these critical conditions (Macrosomia OR?=?2.3; instrumental deliveries OR?=?1.8; NRFHR patterns OR?=?2.1; occipito-posterior position OR?=?2.3; and shoulder dystocia OR?=?2.3) were similar to the crude OR (OR?=?2.3).

Conclusions

Mediolateral episiotomy is an independent risk factor for 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears, even in critical conditions such as shoulder dystocia, instrumental deliveries, occiput-posterior position, fetal macrosomia, and NRFHR. Prophylactic use of episiotomy in these conditions does not seem beneficial if performed to prevent 3rd or 4th degree perineal tears.     

Shoulder dystocia and the next delivery: outcomes and management.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate delivery mode management decisions and the rate of shoulder dystocia recurrence for women with a prior delivery complicated by shoulder dystocia. STUDY DESIGN: We used a computerized perinatal database and ICD-9 codes to identify all vaginal deliveries complicated by shoulder dystocia from 1996 to 2001. Subsequent deliveries over the next three years were identified and reviewed for relevant clinical, obstetric, and delivery outcomes. Management including use of labor induction, labor augmentation, operative vaginal delivery, and delivery mode (elective cesarean section (CS) vs. trial of labor (TOL)) were reviewed. The recurrence rate of shoulder dystocia was calculated and the characteristics of these cases further described. RESULTS: Over the initial 5-year study, there were 25 995 vaginal deliveries, 205 shoulder dystocia cases (0.8%), 36 (17.5%) with neonatal injury. Of the 205 initial shoulder dystocia cases, 39 patients had 48 subsequent deliveries at our institution (a subsequent delivery rate of 23% at our institution, significantly less than the overall population (42%, p < 0.001)). Complete data were available for 47 deliveries. Four women had elective CS without labor (one due to prior shoulder dystocia), 43 (91.5%) had a TOL, and 42 (88%) achieved vaginal delivery. Recurrent shoulder dystocia complicated 9.5% (4/42) of deliveries; one case included neonatal brachial plexus injury that resolved prior to hospital discharge. Of the four recurrent shoulder dystocia cases, none were complicated by maternal diabetes, macrosomia, prolonged second stage of labor, or underwent an operative vaginal delivery. No statistically significant univariate differences were seen between the recurrence group and the no-shoulder dystocia vaginal delivery group; however birth weight and nulliparity at initial shoulder dystocia pregnancy jointly demonstrated a relationship of recurrence (p = 0.048). CONCLUSION: In TOL cases that result in a vaginal delivery, the rate of recurrence of shoulder dystocia is high--approximately 10 times higher than the rate for the general population. Often the only identifiable risk factor is the prior history itself, which may influence delivery management in subsequent pregnancies. Birth weight and nulliparity at initial shoulder dystocia pregnancy may influence clinical decision-making in cases of prior shoulder dystocia.     

Shoulder dystocia and the next delivery: Outcomes and management

Objective. To evaluate delivery mode management decisions and the rate of shoulder dystocia recurrence for women with a prior delivery complicated by shoulder dystocia.

Study design. We used a computerized perinatal database and ICD-9 codes to identify all vaginal deliveries complicated by shoulder dystocia from 1996 to 2001. Subsequent deliveries over the next three years were identified and reviewed for relevant clinical, obstetric, and delivery outcomes. Management including use of labor induction, labor augmentation, operative vaginal delivery, and delivery mode (elective cesarean section (CS) vs. trial of labor (TOL)) were reviewed. The recurrence rate of shoulder dystocia was calculated and the characteristics of these cases further described.

Results. Over the initial 5-year study, there were 25 995 vaginal deliveries, 205 shoulder dystocia cases (0.8%), 36 (17.5%) with neonatal injury. Of the 205 initial shoulder dystocia cases, 39 patients had 48 subsequent deliveries at our institution (a subsequent delivery rate of 23% at our institution, significantly less than the overall population (42%, p < 0.001)). Complete data were available for 47 deliveries. Four women had elective CS without labor (one due to prior shoulder dystocia), 43 (91.5%) had a TOL, and 42 (88%) achieved vaginal delivery. Recurrent shoulder dystocia complicated 9.5% (4/42) of deliveries; one case included neonatal brachial plexus injury that resolved prior to hospital discharge. Of the four recurrent shoulder dystocia cases, none were complicated by maternal diabetes, macrosomia, prolonged second stage of labor, or underwent an operative vaginal delivery. No statistically significant univariate differences were seen between the recurrence group and the no-shoulder dystocia vaginal delivery group; however birth weight and nulliparity at initial shoulder dystocia pregnancy jointly demonstrated a relationship of recurrence (p = 0.048).

Conclusion. In TOL cases that result in a vaginal delivery, the rate of recurrence of shoulder dystocia is high—approximately 10 times higher than the rate for the general population. Often the only identifiable risk factor is the prior history itself, which may influence delivery management in subsequent pregnancies. Birth weight and nulliparity at initial shoulder dystocia pregnancy may influence clinical decision-making in cases of prior shoulder dystocia.     

Clavicle fracture in labor: risk factors and associated morbidities.

OBJECTIVE: Neonatal clavicle fracture has been previously reported to occur in association with shoulder dystocia, suggesting liability on behalf of the obstetrician. However, clavicle fracture is often inconsistently diagnosed, and shoulder dystocia commonly subjectively defined. Using a formal pediatric diagnosis protocol and an objective definition of shoulder dystocia, we sought to determine the incidence, antecedents, and associated morbidities of clavicle fracture and the potential association with shoulder dystocia. STUDY DESIGN: All deliveries at Harbor-UCLA Medical Center complicated by clavicle fracture from January 1996 to March 1999 were studied. Deliveries with clavicle fracture were compared to all vaginal deliveries during this period. RESULTS: Among 4297 deliveries, twenty-six were complicated by clavicle fracture (0.5%). Clavicle fracture was significantly associated with increased maternal age and birth weight greater than 4 kg, though not associated with shoulder dystocia or operative vaginal delivery. Clavicle fracture was associated with meconium passage and with neonatal orthopedic abnormalities. CONCLUSION: Neonatal clavicle fracture is associated with infant birth weight greater than 4 kg, but not with the occurrence of objectively defined shoulder dystocia. However, infants with clavicle fracture may be at increased risk for additional complications.     

Risk factors for shoulder dystocia: an engineering study of clinician-applied forces

We report on engineering risk factors associated with clinician-applied forces during vaginal delivery of newborns. Specifically, we present and interpret data from a series of experiments using force-sensing devices on 29 randomly selected vaginal births, including two shoulder dystocia deliveries and one birth injury. The results indicate that clinician-applied peak forces are typically about 47 N for routine deliveries, 69 N for difficult deliveries, and 100 N for a shoulder dystocia delivery (P less than .01). The time required to deliver fetal shoulders doubles for nonroutine deliveries (P less than .01). In addition, impulse and rate of application of force distinguish between routine and nonroutine deliveries (P less than .03). We conclude that, if properly perceived, force, force rate, and the duration of force are objective parameters that can be used in recognizing and managing shoulder dystocia and in predicting thresholds for birth injury.     

Complications of shoulder dystocia

Complications of shoulder dystocia are divided into fetal and maternal. Fetal brachial plexus injury (BPI) is the most common fetal complication occurring in 4–40% of cases. BPI has also been reported in abdominal deliveries and in deliveries not complicated by shoulder dystocia. Fractures of the fetal humerus and clavicle occur in about 10.6% of cases of shoulder dystocia and usually heal with no sequel. Hypoxic ischemic brain injury is reported in 0.5–23% of cases of shoulder dystocia. The risk correlates with the duration of head-to-body delivery and is especially increased when the duration is >5 min. Fetal death is rare and is reported in 0.4% of cases. Maternal complications of shoulder dystocia include post-partum hemorrhage, vaginal lacerations, anal tears, and uterine rupture. The psychological stress impact of shoulder dystocia is under-recognized and deserves counseling prior to home discharge.     

Shoulder Dystocia — A Clinical Study of 56 Cases

A retrospective analysis of 17,127 singleton vaginal deliveries revealed 56 cases of shoulder dystocia giving an incidence of 0.3%. Although an increasing incidence of shoulder dystocia was noted as the infant birth-weight increased, 41% of shoulder dystocia occurred in infants of average birth-weight (2,500-3,999g). Diabetes mellitus, postmaturity, maternal weight above 90 kg were each factors associated with a large sized infant which should signal the possible occurrence of shoulder dystocia. In the present series shoulder dystocia occurred in 2.7% of all infants weighing 4,000 g or more. Diabetic women experienced shoulder dystocia more often than non-diabetics. In the diabetics 15.7% of neonates of birth-weight 4,000 g and above sustained shoulder dystocia compared to 1.6% in the nondiabetic patients. Immediate neonatal injury was apparent in 43% of infants with shoulder dystocia, Erb palsy being the commonest injury. The perinatal mortality rate in the series was 54/1,000 deliveries. There was no maternal death. To avoid the potentially lethal and dangerous complications of shoulder dystocia, all clinical and technological methods available should be utilized to detect the excessive sized infants so that abdominal delivery may be performed before it is too late.