[High birthweight births at University Hospital Olomouc (1993-2010)]

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Perinatal Epidemiology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine

Context:

• A retrospective epidemiological cohort study was conducted at the University Hospital in Olomouc.
• The study analyzed 26,789 maternal and newborn records from singleton pregnancies with birth weights of 2500g or more between 1993 and 2010.
• Multiple pregnancies and low birth weight infants were excluded from the analysis.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the risk factors associated with fetal macrosomia (high birth weight).
• To assess the potential consequences of high birth weight on the mother during parturition and the newborn's health status.
• To compare neonates weighing 4000g or more with a control group of infants weighing 2500-3999g.

Summary:

• The prevalence of macrosomia was 10.3%. Independent risk factors identified include gestational age over 40 weeks, male sex, diabetes mellitus, excessive maternal weight gain (over 19kg), multiparity, higher BMI (over 22.4), obesity (BMI over 30kg/m²), and marital status (married).
• Low maternal education was identified as a protective factor.
• Operative deliveries, including Cesarean sections and vacuum extractions, were significantly more common in the macrosomic group, though forceps deliveries showed no difference. Newborn health status did not significantly differ between groups.

Impact:

• Identifies key modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for fetal macrosomia, aiding in targeted prenatal care and risk assessment.
• Provides evidence on the association between macrosomia and increased rates of operative delivery, informing clinical practice.
• Highlights the lack of significant differences in immediate newborn health status between macrosomic and normal-weight infants, suggesting a need for further research into long-term outcomes.