Macrosomic newborns: a 3-year review

The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, perinatal complications and the outcome of macrosomic infants. A retrospective analysis was made of macrosomic deliveries and of those admitted into the Neonatology Unit. A control group of 854 deliveries weighing between 2500-4000 g was randomly composed. The incidence of macrosomic deliveries, stillbirth rates, sex, parity, maternal age, mode of delivery, perinatal complications like birth traumas, hypoglycemia, polycythemia, asphyxia, admission rate into the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), and outcome were analyzed. Among a total of 11,827 deliveries, 829 (7%) were macrosomic neonates. Statistical analysis showed male predominance (p = 0.0001), a significant increase in cesarean section (p = 0.0001), and higher parity for the macrosomic group (p = 0.0001). The mothers of macrosomic newborns were older (p = 0.0001). The admission frequency of macrosomic deliveries into the NICU was almost two-fold. Birth injuries were found in 53 (6.4%) macrosomic infants, and macrosomic deliveries had a two-fold risk for birth injuries. Statistical analysis showed a significant difference between macrosomics and the control group for the frequency of birth traumas (p = 0.0007), hypoglycemia (p = 0.0001) and polycythemia (p = 0.0006). There were two deaths in macrosomic group versus one among control cases. Regarding the high birth trauma and NICU admission rates of macrosomic infants, it is important to emphasize the significance of prenatal diagnosis of fetal macrosomia and of management of these high-risk pregnancies in tertiary level hospitals.