The oversized infant. A study of 86 cases

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Neonatology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Oversized infants, defined as those with birthweight 4,500g and above, present unique challenges in perinatal care.
• Maternal diabetes mellitus is a known risk factor for delivering large-for-gestational-age infants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate maternal factors and perinatal/neonatal outcomes in a cohort of 86 oversized infants.
• To compare maternal variables and neonatal morbidity between diabetic and non-diabetic mothers of oversized infants.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective study of 86 oversized infants.
• Analysis of maternal characteristics including diabetes, glucose tolerance, age, parity, and obesity.
• Comparison of perinatal and neonatal complications between diabetic and non-diabetic groups.

Main Results:

• 11.6% of mothers had diabetes, and 34.5% had hyperglycemic glucose tolerance tests.
• No significant differences in maternal age, parity, or obesity between groups.
• High rates of perinatal and neonatal complications observed overall.
• Infants of diabetic mothers showed a significantly higher prevalence of hypoglycemia.
• Oversized infants created high-risk situations irrespective of maternal diabetic status.

Conclusions:

• Oversized infants represent a high-risk obstetric and pediatric group, independent of maternal diabetes.
• While maternal diabetes increases hypoglycemia risk in oversized infants, overall complication rates are similar to non-diabetic mothers.