[Obstetric problems of newborn infants with a birth weight over 4,500 g].

Analysis of birth records of neonates a birth weight of 4,500 g or more (n = 83) has been made in order to compare the course of pregnancy and delivery to a normal birth weight of 3,000-3,500 (n = 100) among 14,193 newborns observed from 1983 to 1987 in Obstetric department of district hospital Berlin-Friedrichshain. On both groups mortality rate amounted to nil. Maternal morbidity is mainly caused by delivery injuries and postpartal atony. The perinatal morbidity which accounts for 7.2% is caused to increased acidosis rate (9.6%), complications of birth traumas such as shoulder dystocia (4.8%), fractures (2.4%) and paresis of nerve plexes (2.4%). The antenatal ultrasound assessment of fetal weight has been emphasized. Caesarean section is advised in cases of a fetal weight of 5,000 g, or more malpresentation and in a primipara with a history of previous caesarean section and with fetal weight more than 3,500-4,000 g. The problems of shoulder dystocia are being discussed.