title: Macrosomic Births in a Tertiary Public Hospital: A Survey of Maternal Characteristics and Fetal Outcome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Macrosomic fetuses are high risk with their delivery process being associated with potential risk to both mother and baby The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of macrosomic births and the associated maternal characteristics and to ascertain the fetal outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  It was a retrospective survey of maternal characteristics and pregnancy outcome of macrosomic births. Comparison was made with the next selected normal birth weight delivery during the study period.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were 8607 deliveries during the period (3 years) reviewed. Of this, 306 were macrosomic deliveries, a frequency of 3.6%. The mean weight for macrosomic babies was 4.23kg (range 4.01 - 5.62kg). There was a higher mean maternal weight and gestational age of mothers with macrosomic deliveries compared to mothers in the control group, (85.87 ± 19.39kg vs 74.92 ± 19.11kg P<0.01; and 41.51±1.46 vs 39.02±1.29, P<0.001). Caesarean delivery was significantly associated with macrosomic births compared to controls, p<0.0001, odds ratio 3.977. Also, asphyxia and shoulder dystocia occurred more in macrosomic babies, 10.4% vs 2.9% and 2.28% vs 0.65%, P<0.001. The majority of the asphyxiated babies amongst macroomic births were following vagina delivery compared to caesarean delivery, (65.6% vs 34.4%) p= 0.001. There were 3 cases of still birth in the macrosomic deliveries, but no maternal deaths were encountered.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Macrosomic births could be tragic. Although delivery outcome seems better with a caesarean section, good fetal outcome can only be assured on the premise of astute labour and delivery management.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria.
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Osaikhuwuomwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Abieyuwa
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osemwenkha
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medical Sciences, University of Benin, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Godwin
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Orukpe
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001237:Asphyxia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001835:Body Weight; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004420:Dystocia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D005320:Fetal Macrosomia / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005865:Gestational Age; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008875:Middle Aged; D009035:Mothers; D011247:Pregnancy; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D062606:Tertiary Care Centers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: delivery; fetal macrosomia; fetal outcome; labour; pregnancy