Fetal macrosomia

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Causes

By Mayo Clinic staff

Fetal macrosomia typically develops when a baby receives too many nutrients. This 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.

Risk factors Symptoms

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References
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  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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  7. Gibbs RS, et al. Danforth's Obstetrics and Gynecology. 10th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Wolters Kluwer Health Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2008. http://www.danforthsobgyn.com. Accessed March 19, 2012.
  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.
  11. Tse G, et al. Weight gain and loss in pregnancy. http://www.uptodate.com/index. Accessed March 20, 2012.
  12. Mulik, et al. The outcome of macrosomic fetuses in a low risk primigravid population. International Journal of Gynecology and Obstetrics. 2003;80:15.
  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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