A study of fetal macrosomia

We describe the maternal characteristics in pregnancy with fetal macrosomia , fetal and maternal complications related to macrosomia, and the risk of i mpaired glucose tolerance. The study is based on a comparison of maternal a nd neonatal data in 956 cases of fetal macrosomia (birthweight greater than or equal to 4000 g) in non-diabetic pregnancy with data in a control group of 6407 mothers with non-macrosomic infants (birthweight 3000-3999 g). The main factors investigated were maternal age, weight, parity, gestosis rate , maternal and fetal birth injuries, maternal oral glucose tolerance test r esults and umbilical blood insulin levels. Macrosomic infants occurred in 9 .1% of all deliveries. Mothers delivering macrosomic infants were significa ntly older, of higher parity and of greater weight than mothers of the cont rol group. Fetal macrosomia was associated with a higher frequency of gesto sis, operative deliveries, birth injuries and postpartum haemorrhages. 26.2 % of the mothers had abnormal of oGTT results. The macrosomic infants were more often male and had a significantly higher risk of shoulder dystocia an d birth injuries. No essential differences could be observed in the Apgar-s cores and umbilical artery pH values. 34% of macrosomic infants had higher insulin levels in umbilical blood.