Complications associated with the macrosomic fetus

A retrospective study was done on 525 infants who weighed more than 4,500 g. The rates of grand multiparity, diabetes mellitus, pregnancy-induced hypertension, deliveries in women over 35 years of age, placenta previa and weight gain of more than 15 kg were higher than in a control group weighing 2,500-4,000 g. The rates of delivery with instruments and cesarean section were also significantly higher. The main indication for cesarean section in the study group was cephalopelvic disproportion, while in the control group it was repeat cesarean section. Rates of postpartum hemorrhage, shoulder dystocia, oxytocin augmentation of labor and tears in the birth canal far exceeded those in the control group. Maternal and fetal morbidity and perinatal mortality were significantly higher than in the control group. The complications were due to a difficult second stage of labor. Delivery of the macrosomic fetus by cesarean section is highly recommended except for the subgroup of women who already delivered a macrosomic child.