[Overweight newborn infants--incidence, causes and clinical significance]

A retrospective study of 7711 births revealed 741 (9.6%) overweight (greater than 4,000 g) neonates. Statistical analysis shows, that neonatal macrosomia closely correlates with maternal age, parity, and weight. The pathogenesis of neonatal macrosomia appears to be influenced primarily by genetic factors. 19% of the cases show a pathological oral glucose tolerance test and/or hypertension, whose role in the development of overweight neonates has yet to be determined. With the exception of shoulder dystocias, postpartal atonia and hyperbilirubinaemia, the rate of obstetric or paediatric complications was not increased compared to the control group. The delivery of overweight neonates of non-diabetic mothers does not appear to carry an increased risk of intra- and postpartal complications.