Background: Macrosomia is a term applied to newborns with a birth weight of >4000g. This condition leads to several maternal and fetal complications including maternal traumas as well as newborn injury. This study was designed to evaluate the risk factors of macrosomia among Iranian women.
Methods: This cross-sectional study performed between July 2001 and July 2002, included 2000 term deliveries involving newborns with birth weights of >2500g. The records of 77 mothers of live born infants weighing >4000g were compared to those of the control group (231 women). Stillborn and neonates who were <2500g were excluded from the study.
Results: Among the 2000 deliveries performed in Imam Hospital, 77(3.8%) of the newborns weighed >4000g and 12(0.6%) weighed >4500g. The mean age of the mothers, maternal BMI, history of diabetes mellitus, multiparity, fetal sex and underling maternal disease were found to be associated with increase risk of fetal macrosomia. There was no significant relationship between prolonged gestation, weight gain more than 16kg during pregnancy and past history of macrosomic delivery and macrosomia.
Conclusions: It is possible to prevent macrosomia by weight and diabetes control before the decision to become pregnant. To prevent pregnancy among multipara mothers aged >35 years old, highly protective contraceptive methods should be used. Furthermore, if a mother is diagnosed with a macrosomic fetus by sonography or other imaging methods, more care should be taken during the delivery to decrease the risk of fetal injury, such as asphyxia and brachial plexus palsy.