Fetal Macrosomia: Demographic Analysis and Perinatal Performance in a Chinese Population

A retrospective analysis of the demographic and perinatal data of 332 macrosomic infants (≥3.8 kg) born of Chinese mothers in a teaching hospital in Hong Kong was performed. Results were compared with similar data from 334 normal weight infants (>2.5 to 34.0 litres, the predictive value for macrosomia was 40% with a false positive rate of only 2.2%. Meconium stained liquor and caesarean section were more common. First stage of labour was comparable but second stage was significantly prolonged. Among macrosomic infants, male: female ratio was 1.7: 1. Birth trauma and neonatal jaundice were more common. Maternal diabetes is a significant contributory factor which may justify screening of the maternity population to allow early detection and treatment.