Neonatal macrosomia refers to babies weighing more than eight pounds and 13 ounces at birth, affecting approximately nine percent of infants. Risk factors for a macrosomic baby include diabetes, previous large babies, obesity, male infants, overdue pregnancies, and advanced maternal age. Complications can include difficult labor potentially requiring C-section, maternal injuries, hemorrhaging, and for infants, hypoglycemia, obesity, and metabolic syndrome. Prevention focuses on healthy maternal weight and glucose control if diabetic.

1. A Closer Look at
Neonatal Macrosomia
Dr. Allen Cherer

2. Neonatal macrosomia refers to babies weighing
more than eight pounds and 13 ounces at birth.
Approximately nine percent of infants are born
with the condition. The larger the baby, the
greater the risks to the mother and the infant.

3. Causes and Risks
D I A B E T E S
Expectant mothers may have been diagnosed with diabetes before becoming pregnant.
Others develop gestational diabetes during pregnancy. Blood sugars must be monitored
and controlled otherwise, the infant develops with a larger amount of body fat
P R E V I O U S H I S T O R Y
Women who have given birth to overly large infants in the past have a greater risk of
having large babies in the future.
O B E S I T Y
There is a greater chance of having a baby with neonatal macrosomia if the mother is
obese. Gaining too much weight during pregnancy also increases the risk.

4. Causes and Risks (Cont.)
M A L E I N F A N T S
Neonatal macrosomia occurs more often in boy babies.
O V E R D U E P R E G N A N C I E S
Pregnancies that extend two or more weeks beyond the estimated due date increase the
chance that the infant will be overly large.
M O T H E R ' S A G E
Pregnant women over the age of 35 are more likely to have abnormally large babies.

5. Maternal Complications
D I F F I C U L T L A B O R
When an infant is too large, there is a likelihood that the baby
becomes stuck in the birth canal, which may necessitate a C-section
delivery.
I N T E R N A L I N J U R I E S
During the birthing process, the mother may suffer laceration or
tearing of the vaginal tissues and perineal muscles.
H E M O R R H A G I N G
Internal injuries combined with the uterus' inability to contract properly
may lead to severe bleeding.

6. Infant Complications
H Y P O G L Y C E M I A
Babies born with neonatal macrosomia have an increased risk of
suffering from abnormally low blood sugars.
O B E S I T Y
Overly large infants are at a greater risk of becoming obese during
childhood.
M E T A B O L I C S Y N D R O M E
Neonatal macrosomia infants are likely to have metabolic syndrome.
The condition is associated with hypertension, hyperglycemia,
elevated cholesterol and excess body fat.

7. Prevention
Women must maintain a healthy weight before during
and after pregnancy. While pregnant women should not
gain more than 35 pounds. Women diagnosed with
diabetes must have their blood sugar continually
monitored and controlled.