Symptoms
Fetal macrosomia. Print. The term "fetal macrosomia" is used to describe a newborn who's significantly larger than average. A baby diagnosed with fetal macrosomia has a birth weight of more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams), regardless of his or her gestational age.
Causes
However, the 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 could put the baby at risk of injury during birth. Fetal macrosomia also puts the baby at increased risk of health problems after birth.
Prevention
Fetal macrosomia can be caused by genetic factors as well as maternal conditions, such as obesity or diabetes. Rarely, a baby might have a medical condition that speeds fetal growth. In some cases, what causes a larger than average birth weight remains unexplained.
Complications
Your healthcare provider may suspect your baby has macrosomia if you: Have a large fundal height (a measurement of fetal growth). Have gained a lot of weight during pregnancy. Have diabetes, or were diagnosed with gestational diabetes. You’ve previously delivered a large baby. You’ve gone past your due date. You were a big baby yourself.
What does macrosomia mean in pregnancy?
What are the risks of fetal macrosomia?
What are the causes of macrosomia?
How do I know if my baby has macrosomia?
What happens if you have a large baby?
How much does the average birth weight increase with each pregnancy?
How to prevent fetal macrosomia?
What does it mean when your fundal height is large?
What are the complications of fetal macrosomia?
How much does a baby weigh?
What age is more likely to have fetal macrosomia?
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About this website
Can macrosomia cause birth defects?
When the birth is delayed and obstructed by the baby's large size, they are at risk of suffocating, known as birth asphyxia. Births involving fetal macrosomia are also at risk of birth defects and injuries, like a fractured clavicle or damage to the nerves of the brachial plexus.
Is macrosomia considered high risk?
Is Fetal Macrosomia Dangerous? Most of the time, babies born with fetal macrosomia do not experience any problems. However, a mother who is pregnant with a baby with macrosomia is considered to have a high-risk pregnancy. Both the baby and the mother could have serious, even life-threatening medical complications.
How common is fetal macrosomia?
Fetal macrosomia, arbitrarily defined as a birth weight of more than 4,000 g (8 lb, 13 oz) complicates more than 10 percent of all pregnancies in the United States. It is associated with increased risks of cesarean section and trauma to the birth canal and the fetus.
What are 5 complications of macrosomia?
Significant maternal and neonatal complications can result from the birth of a macrosomic infant, and include prolonged labor, operative delivery, postpartum hemorrhage, perineal trauma, shoulder dystocia, birth trauma, chorioamnionitis, meconium aspiration, perinatal asphyxia, low Apgar scores, neonatal hypoglycemia, ...
Why do babies get macrosomia?
Genetic factors and maternal conditions such as obesity or diabetes can cause fetal macrosomia. Rarely, a baby might have a medical condition that makes him or her grow faster and larger. Sometimes it's unknown what causes a baby to be larger than average.
Is macrosomia indication for C section?
Midpelvic operative vaginal delivery is the most important consideration for labor and delivery in the case of suspected fetal macrosomia. With the exception of extreme emergencies, a cesarean delivery should be performed for midpelvic arrest of the fetus with suspected macrosomia.
What increases the risk of macrosomia?
Diabetes before your pregnancy and diabetes that happens during your pregnancy (gestational diabetes) are risk factors for fetal macrosomia.
Do big babies become big adults?
Some people are just big, from birth. But big does not equal obese, overweight, too fat, or any other word used to describe unusually high body weight. Children grow in the way that is right for them.
Are big babies healthier?
As a result, large babies tend to have low blood sugar and need to be monitored closely after birth, Yasin said. They are also at increased risk for jaundice, he said. Later in life, these babies face an increased risk for obesity, diabetes and metabolic syndrome, Atkins said.
Is macrosomia genetic?
Factors associated with fetal macrosomia include genetics; duration of gestation; presence of gestational diabetes; high pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI); excessive gestational weight gain; and class A, B, and C diabetes mellitus.
Which parent determines size of baby?
While the father's height and weight are important, it appears that the mother's weight at birth plays a key role in the final weight of the baby. Women who are overweight are more likely to give birth to a larger than the average baby.
Can macrosomia cause stillbirth?
Macrosomia was significantly associated with elevated risk for stillbirth: grade 2 (OR = 1.27; 95% CI = 1.22-1.32) and grade 3 (OR = 5.97; 95% CI = 5.69-6.22). Conclusions: Fetal macrosomia is a significant risk factor for fetal demise with the worst intrauterine survival observed among those classified as grade 3.
What weight is considered macrosomia?
A fetus larger than 4000 to 4500 grams (or 9 to 10 pounds) is considered macrosomic. Macrosomia is associated with an increased risk of several complications, particularly maternal and/or fetal trauma during birth and neonatal hypoglycemia and respiratory problems.
What is the difference between LGA and macrosomia?
LGA refers to neonatal birth weight larger than the 90th percentile for a given gestational age. In contrast to LGA, fetal macrosomia is defined as an absolute birth weight above a specified threshold regardless of gestational age.
How big is a Macrosomic baby?
Fetal macrosomia is a condition in which your fetus is larger than average (between 4,000 grams [8 pounds, 13 ounces] and 4,500 grams [9 pounds, 15 ounces]). There are many causes, including diabetes or obesity in the birth parent.
Which of the following increases the risk of macrosomia?
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.
Fetal Macrosomia: What Is It, Causes & Complications - Cleveland Clinic
Overview What is fetal macrosomia? Fetal macrosomia is a condition where your baby’s weight is in the top 10% of the stage of pregnancy you’re in. Delivering a large baby can be difficult, with more risk for vaginal tears or problems pushing your baby out. If your healthcare provider thinks that your baby is very big (more than 11 pounds, or more than 10 pounds if you have diabetes), a ...
Worried about having a big baby? Four things to know about birth weight ...
Worried about having a big baby? Four things to know about birth weight March 21, 2017 Your Pregnancy Matters
Fetal macrosomia - Diagnosis and treatment - Mayo Clinic
Diagnosis. Fetal macrosomia can't be diagnosed until after the baby is born and weighed. However, if you have risk factors for fetal macrosomia, your health care provider will likely use tests to monitor your baby's health and development while you're pregnant, such as:
Why is fetal macrosomia limited?
However, research has shown that the value of cesarean sections in dealing with fetal macrosomia is limited, in part because the size of the baby is difficult to predict. Also, some nerve injuries similar to the injuries caused by shoulder dystocia can happen in the womb, before delivery.
How to get pregnant with a baby?
Promoting good health and a healthy pregnancy can improve the odds: 1 See a doctor for regular prenatal care. Frequent visits allow you and your doctor to closely follow your baby’s progress, and also give you a chance to ask questions. Your doctor will make up a schedule for you. 2 Watch your weight. Your weight before pregnancy matters, as does how much weight you put on while you are pregnant. 3 If you have diabetes, take appropriate steps to manage it. Diabetes before the pregnancy and diabetes that occurs during the pregnancy ( gestational diabetes) are risk factors for fetal macrosomia. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born, but women who have had it have a greater risk for diabetes later in life.
What is the weight of a fetus?
Fetal macrosomia is a condition in which a fetus is larger than average—the birth weight is between 4,000 grams (8 pounds, 13 ounces) and 4,500 grams (9 pounds, 15 ounces). Fetal macrosomia can cause complications for both the baby and the mother during delivery. These risks can be further increased when the weight of the fetus is greater ...
What does it mean when a baby is bigger than normal?
If there is an abnormally large amount of amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios), the baby may be larger than average. The estimated weight of the baby based on ultrasound calculations. The doctor might also ask a parous mother (a woman who has given birth before) how much she thinks the baby weighs.
Is macrosomia a pregnancy?
Fetal macrosomia is unpredictable. The diagnosis is made only after the baby has been weighed after delivery. Babies can be born larger than average with or without any of the known risk factors. Promoting good health and a healthy pregnancy can improve the odds: See a doctor for regular prenatal care.
What is ultrasound test?
An ultrasound is a diagnostic procedure that transmits high-frequency sound waves through body tissues. The echoes are recorded and transformed into video or photographic images of the internal structures of the body.
Can a boy have fetal macrosomia?
Fetal macrosomia is more common in boys. In addition, fetal macrosomia can occur if the mother: Is obese or gains too much weight during the pregnancy. Has diabetes or glucose intolerance (the body cannot process glucose properly). Is older than 35 or younger than 17. Has already had a large baby.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor will ask about your medical history and past pregnancies. They can check your baby’s size during pregnancy, however this measurement isn’t always accurate.
What is the 90th percentile of macrosomia?
Babies with macrosomia are in the 90th percentile or higher in weight for their gestational age if born at term. Macrosomia can cause a difficult delivery, and increase the risks for a cesarean delivery (C-section) and injury to the baby during birth. Babies born with macrosomia are also more likely to have health problems such as obesity ...
Why do babies have macrosomia?
Causes of this condition include: diabetes in the mother. obesity in the mother. genetics. a medical condition in the baby. You’re more likely to have a baby with macrosomia if you: have diabetes before you get pregnant, or develop it during your pregnancy ( gestational diabetes) start out your pregnancy obese.
Why should babies be monitored during pregnancy?
Babies born large should be monitored for health conditions like obesity and diabetes as they grow. By managing preexisting conditions and your health during pregnancy, as well as monitoring the health of your baby into adulthood, you may be able to help prevent complications that can arise from macrosomia.
How much does a baby weigh in macrosomia?
Babies with macrosomia weigh over 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
What does it mean when the fundus is larger than normal?
Measuring the height of the fundus. The fundus is the length from the top of the mother’s uterus to her pubic bone. A larger than normal fundal height could be a sign of macrosomia.
How to tell if a baby is too big?
Although it’s not completely accurate at predicting the birth weight, it can estimate whether the baby is too large in the womb. Check the amniotic fluid level. Too much amniotic fluid is a sign that the baby is producing excess urine. Larger babies produce more urine.
What is Fetal Macrosomia?
When an infant’s estimated weight is higher than 90% of the average weight of babies in the same gestational age range, they are considered large for their gestational age. Yet that’s only part of how fetal macrosomia is defined. Macrosomia is also considered a high-risk pregnancy in which the mother and infant are at risk for medical problems. Macrosomia can make labor more difficult, or can even prevent a safe vaginal delivery. Sometimes the risks to the baby are so great that a c-section is necessary to prevent possible complications.
What causes shoulder dystocia?
Shoulder dystocia is one of the most common injuries caused by fetal macrosomia. Shoulder dystocia occurs when the baby’s shoulders become lodged behind the mother’s pelvis. When a baby is too large for the birth canal, it is a condition called cephalopelvic disproportion. In other words, the baby is disproportionately large for the mother’s pelvis. When shoulder dystocia occurs, doctors must act quickly. If continuing with a vaginal delivery is the safest option, doctors must be careful not to pull too hard and cause broken bones or a brachial plexus injury. Doctors must also carefully monitor the baby’s vital signs for signs of oxygen deprivation, which could lead to brain damage.
Why do doctors recommend a C section?
Doctors will generally recommend a c-section if you have suspected fetal macrosomia and: You have diabetes.
Why are babies so large?
Untreated gestational diabetes is a very possible cause of large infants. When a mother has undiagnosed hyperglycemia (high blood sugar), the baby receives insulin and growth hormones in the womb. This stimulates fetal growth and deposition of glycogen and fat.
How to prevent macrosomia in pregnant women?
Control Diabetes: Controlling blood sugar during pregnancy is one of the best ways to help prevent fetal macrosomia. Make sure your doctor does a gestational diabetes test during pregnancy.
How much does a baby weigh?
In the United States, around 7.8% of babies born had a birth weight of more than 4,500 grams. Only 0.1% had a birth weight of greater than 5,000 grams. The rates of fetal macrosomia are much higher among mother with gestational diabetes, with 22.3% of women with diabetes having a high birth weight baby, as opposed to only 13.6% of women without diabetes. Macrosomia is more common among Hispanic mothers, possibly because Hispanic women have higher rates of gestational diabetes. High birth weight is also more common in male babies, who are generally 150-200 grams larger than female babies.
What is the best way to diagnose macrosomia?
Known as a fundal height measurement, this gives doctors a better understanding of how large the infant is. Ultrasound: Measurements of the estimated fetal weight by ultrasound is the primary method to diagnose macrosomia despite an error rate or variance of 15 percent.
What happens if you have a large baby?
If you've previously given birth to a large baby, you're at increased risk of having another large baby. Also, if you weighed more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces at birth, you're more likely to have a large baby. Maternal obesity. Fetal macrosomia is more likely if you're obese. Excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
How much does the average birth weight increase with each pregnancy?
Up to the fifth pregnancy, the average birth weight for each successive pregnancy typically increases by up to about 4 ounces (113 grams).
How to prevent fetal macrosomia?
If you had diabetes before pregnancy or if you develop gestational diabetes, work with your health care provider to manage the condition. Controlling your blood sugar level is the best way to prevent complications, including fetal macrosomia.
What does it mean when your fundal height is large?
Large fundal height. During prenatal visits, your health care provider might measure your fundal height — the distance from the top of your uterus to your pubic bone. A larger than expected fundal height could be a sign of fetal macrosomia. Excessive amniotic fluid (polyhydramnios).
What are the complications of fetal macrosomia?
Possible complications of fetal macrosomia for your baby might include: Lower than normal blood sugar level. A baby diagnosed with fetal macrosomia is more likely to be born with a blood sugar level that's lower than normal. Childhood obesity.
How much does a baby weigh?
Male infants typically weigh slightly more than female infants. Most babies who weigh more than 9 pounds, 15 ounces (4,500 grams) are male. Overdue pregnancy. If your pregnancy continues by more than two weeks past your due date, your baby is at increased risk of fetal macrosomia. Maternal age.
What age is more likely to have fetal macrosomia?
Maternal age. Women older than 35 are more likely to have a baby diagnosed with fetal macrosomia.
