ABSTRACT

Objective: To determine the outcome of macrosomic infants at the University Hospital of the West Indies over a three-year period.

Methods: A retrospective, descriptive, case controlled study was carried out. Data were extracted from the maternal and neonatal medical records of 316 macrosomic infants (weighing ≥ 4000 grams) and 316 controls (weighing 2500–3999 grams) delivered at the University Hospital of the West Indies. Descriptive analyses were performed comparing maternal and neonatal characteristics and outcomes between the two groups.

Results: The incidence of macrosomia at the University Hospital of the West Indies for the study period was 43.5 per 1000 deliveries. Fetal macrosomia was associated with an increased risk of an operative delivery, shoulder dystocia and maternal postpartum haemorrhage (p < 0.05). Macrosomic babies were more likely to be male, experience respiratory distress at birth and require admission to the Neonatal Unit (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Macrosomia contributes significantly to maternal and neonatal morbidity. There needs to be targeted, coordinated perinatal and neonatal measures if these morbidities are to be reduced.