What is most serious complication of fetal macrosomia?

One of the complications of fetal macrosomia is shoulder dystocia, which occurs when the baby’s head emerges from the womb but the shoulders get stuck inside the mother’s body, requiring additional maneuvers to deliver the baby safely. This is a serious situation that can be more common in large babies.

Why is macrosomia a problem?

Fetal macrosomia is associated with increased risks for the mother, including emergency Cesarean section (CS), instrumental delivery, shoulder dystocia and trauma to the birth canal, bladder, perineum and anal sphincter; for the baby, complications include increased mortality, brachial plexus or facial nerve injuries.

Is macrosomia a birth defect?

Abstract. Background: Infants that develop congenital anomalies may also have an excess prevalence of macrosomia (birth weight > or =4,000 g). This may indicate that abnormalities of glycemic control play a role in the etiology of birth defects.

What are 3 causes of macrosomia?

Causes

  • Having a family history of fetal macrosomia.
  • Excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
  • Obesity during pregnancy.
  • Multiple pregnancies.
  • A pregnancy lasting more than 40 weeks.
  • A mother with an above-average height and weight.
  • Having a male child.

Is fetal macrosomia high risk?

Risks associated with fetal macrosomia increase greatly when birth weight is more than 9 pounds, 15 ounces (4,500 grams). Fetal macrosomia may complicate vaginal delivery and can put the baby at risk of injury during birth. Fetal macrosomia also puts the baby at increased risk of health problems after birth.

Are big babies healthier?

Larger babies have always been associated with lower infant mortality rates, while recent research by Professor Barker indicates that they run a lower risk of heart disease, stroke and hypertension in later life.

Can macrosomia be treated?

Objective: Treatment of fetal macrosomia presents challenges to practitioners because a potential outcome of shoulder dystocia with permanent brachial plexus injury is costly both to families and to society. Practitioner options include labor induction, elective cesarean delivery, or expectant treatment.

Should I be induced for a big baby?

Current NICE guidelines on induction of labour recommend only offering induction at 41 or 42 weeks in otherwise healthy women who have a larger than average baby. This analysis suggests that earlier induction is likely to be safe and may be an option for women to consider.

How do you manage macrosomia?

Interventions for Suspected Macrosomia Management strategies for suspected fetal macrosomia include elective cesarean section and early induction of labor.

What happens if baby gets too big in womb?

What are the risks of having a big baby?

Complications

  • Labor problems. Fetal macrosomia can cause a baby to become wedged in the birth canal (shoulder dystocia), sustain birth injuries, or require the use of forceps or a vacuum device during delivery (operative vaginal delivery).
  • Genital tract lacerations.
  • Bleeding after delivery.
  • Uterine rupture.

Do big babies make big adults?

Studies have also shown that bigger parents have bigger babies, which in turn end up as bigger adults. (Parents who were born heavy themselves are also more likely to have large babies.) This should come as no surprise: Children inherit their parents’ body types both via genetics and shared experience.

What are the risk factors for macrosomia?

Risk factors. Fetal macrosomia is more likely to be a result of maternal diabetes, obesity or weight gain during pregnancy than other causes. If these risk factors aren’t present and fetal macrosomia is suspected, it’s possible that your baby might have a rare medical condition that affects fetal growth.

What are the possible complications of macrosomia during labor?

Macrosomia can cause these problems during delivery: the baby’s shoulder may get stuck in the birth canal. the baby’s clavicle or another bone gets fractured. labor takes longer than normal. forceps or vacuum delivery is needed. cesarean delivery is needed. the baby doesn’t get enough oxygen.

Is father’s obesity a risk factor for macrosomia?

Main risk factors for macrosomia are delivery of a previous macrosomic baby (OR 13.1), maternal weight gain ≥16 kg (OR 10.2), parity ≥3 (OR 4.8), father’s BMI ≥30 (OR 3.7), male sex (OR 2.2), and post-term (OR 1.9). Conclusion Father’s obesity should be added among the known risk factors for macrosomia. Keywords: Macrosomia, Risk factors, Cameroon

What is macrosomia and what are the symptoms?

The main symptom of macrosomia is a birth weight of more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces — regardless of whether the baby was born early, on time, or late. How is it diagnosed?