Increased composite maternal and neonatal morbidity associated with ultrasonographically suspected fetal macrosomia.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the composite risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity in pregnancies with suspected fetal macrosomia.

METHODS

In a retrospective study of laboring women delivering singleton, term neonates, we defined 3 groups of patients by estimated fetal weight (EFW) in grams, using ultrasound: (1) <4000, (2) 4000-4499, and (3) 4500+, and tested them for association with a composite outcome using multivariable logistic regression models. The measure of composite morbidity included: shoulder dystocia, third/fourth degree perineal laceration, postpartum hemorrhage, maternal length of stay (LOS) ≥ 5 days, neonatal birth trauma, meconium aspiration syndrome, perinatal infection, and neonatal LOS ≥ 5 days. Because of potential interactions between diabetes and birthweight, women with maternal diabetes were examined separately.

RESULTS

Of 8,843 deliveries, the proportion with composite morbidity by group was: (1): 26.2%, (2): 41.2%, and (3): 63.6% (p < 0.0001). The OR (95% CI) for groups (2) and (3) were: 1.9 (1.2-2.9) and 2.1 (0.6-7.2), for diabetics (9.7% of the final study population), and 2.3 (1.9-2.7) and 3.9 (2.2-6.9), for non-diabetics.

CONCLUSIONS

Suspected fetal macrosomia appeared associated with increased risk for a composite measure of childbirth morbidity.