ABSTRACT
Background: Fetal macrosomia is a common problem in obstetrics which leads to morbidity and mortality to both mothers as well as to the new-born due to complications of fetal macrosomia like prolonged labour, operative delivery, postpartum haemorrhage, perineal trauma, shoulder dystocia, birth trauma, perinatal asphyxia and perinatal mortality. This prospective study was conducted on fetal macrosomia to help future identification of such pregnancies, anticipate complications and to plan proper management.Methods: Maternal, fetal and neonatal consequences of macrosomia with specific attention to etiology of macrosomia in 170 pregnant women having gestational age of 37 weeks or more and high risk of fetal macrosomia were studied. Clinical estimation of fetal body weight was done using Leopold’s maneuvers and patient then referred for ultrasonography. Data was collected about mode of delivery, nature and severity of birth trauma.Results: It was found that maternal age (51.76%), multiparity (61.76%), maternal diabetes (20.59 %) was significantly associated with macrosomia. Total caesarean rate in macrosomia was 26.4%. We got only 8 cases of birth trauma out of 170 macrosomic births.Conclusions: Pregnancies complicated by fetal macrosomia can be best managed by giving a trial of labour for babies with fetal weight below 5000 gram. Post gestation, multiparity found to be main risk factor for macrosomia.