What is Macrosomic in infants?
Overview. The term “fetal macrosomia” is used to describe a newborn who’s much larger than average. A baby who is diagnosed as having fetal macrosomia weighs more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces (4,000 grams), regardless of his or her gestational age. About 9% of babies worldwide weigh more than 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
What is the biggest risk factor for delivering a Macrosomic infant?
Main risk factors for macrosomia are delivery of a previous macrosomic baby (OR 13.1), maternal weight gain ≥16 kg (OR 10.2), parity ≥3 (OR 4.8), father’s BMI ≥30 (OR 3.7), male sex (OR 2.2), and post-term (OR 1.9).
What causes a Macrosomic baby to be born?
Fetal macrosomia is most commonly caused by a mother with uncontrolled diabetes — pregestational or gestational. Higher amounts of sugar in the mother’s system pass through the placenta and converts into fat, leading to a larger baby.
What does Macrosomic mean?
Macrosomia is a term that describes a baby who is born much larger than average for their gestational age, which is the number of weeks in the uterus. Babies with macrosomia weigh over 8 pounds, 13 ounces.
Is fundal height accurate?
But fundal height is only a tool for gauging fetal growth — it’s not an exact science. And further research is needed to determine how effective it is in detecting intrauterine growth restriction. Typically, fundal height measurements offer reassurance of a baby’s steady growth.
What happens if gestational diabetes is not controlled?
Diabetes that is not well controlled causes the baby’s blood sugar to be high. The baby is “overfed” and grows extra large. Besides causing discomfort to the woman during the last few months of pregnancy, an extra large baby can lead to problems during delivery for both the mother and the baby.
Why are IDM infants at risk for hypoglycemia?
An IDM is more likely to have periods of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) shortly after birth, and during first few days of life. This is because the baby has been used to getting more sugar than needed from the mother. They have a higher insulin level than needed after birth.
Can fundal height be wrong?
Don’t panic, a lot of the time a fundal height outside of the average range will mean something like a slightly inaccurate conception date or due date, meaning you’re not as far (or perhaps even further along) than you thought you were.
Why fundal height is inaccurate?
If your fundal height is smaller than expected, it may be because: Your baby is smaller than expected. You don’t have enough amniotic fluid. Your baby’s growth is being restricted.