Fetal macrosomia

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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

Fetal macrosomia is a term 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. About 9 percent of babies born worldwide weigh more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces. However, the risks associated with fetal macrosomia increase greatly when birth weight is more than 9 pounds 15 ounces (4500 grams).

Fetal macrosomia makes vaginal delivery difficult and puts the baby at risk of injury during birth. Fetal macrosomia also puts the baby at increased risk of health problems after birth.

Symptoms
References
  1. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. Your Pregnancy and Childbirth Month to Month. 5th ed. Washington, D.C.: American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; 2010:241.
  2. Abramocwicz JS, et al. Fetal macrosomia. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  3. Rodis JF. Timing and route of delivery in pregnancies at risk of shoulder dystocia. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  4. Mandy GT. Large for gestational age newborn. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  5. Cunningham FG, et al. Williams Obstetrics. 23rd ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2010. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6036563. Accessed March 14, 2012.
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  8. Chatfield J. ACOG issues guidelines on fetal macrosomia. American Family Physician. 2001;64:169.
  9. Rodis JF. Intrapartum management and outcome of shoulder dystocia. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 20, 2012.
  10. Routine prenatal care. Bloomington, Minn.: Institute for Clinical Systems Improvement. http://www.icsi.org/guidelines_and_more/gl_os_prot/womens_health/prenatal_care_4/prenatal_care__routine__3.html. Accessed March 20, 2012.
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  13. Hackmon R, et al. Combined analysis with amniotic fluid index and estimated fetal weight for prediction of severe macrosomia at birth. American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology. 2007;196:333.e1.
  14. American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) Committee on Practice Bulletins - Obstetrics. ACOG Practice Bulletin No.60. Pregestational diabetes mellitus. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2005;105:675.
  15. Raio L, et al. Perinatal outcome of fetuses with a birth weight greater than 4500 g: An analysis of 3356 cases. European Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology and Reproductive Biology. 2003;109:160.
  16. Special tests for monitoring fetal health. American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. http://www.acog.org/publications/patient_education/bp098.cfm. Accessed March 20, 2012.
  17. Gillen-Goldstein J, et al. Assessment of fetal lung maturity. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 20, 2012.
  18. Wegner EK, et al. Operative vaginal delivery. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 21, 2012.
  19. McCulloch DK, et al. Prediction and prevention of type 2 diabetes. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 21, 2012.
  20. What is metabolic syndrome? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/ms/. Accessed March 21, 2012.
  21. Harms RW (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 22, 2012.
  22. Cleary-Goldman J, et al. Impact of maternal age on obstetric outcome. Obstetrics & Gynecology. 2005;105:983.
DS01202 May 24, 2012

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