What Are Potential Complications of Large for Gestational Birthweight?

Discussion Infant size at birth is determined mainly by genetics, but also pregnancy and environmental factors. Large for gestational age (LGA) is defined as a mean weight > 2 standard deviations above the weight for gestational age or above the 90th percentile on growth charts (or ~4000 g on WHO growth charts). Macrosomia is a term used for a term infant who is > 4000g. Risk factors for LGA infants includes: Male infant Maternal Genetic disposition Hispanic ethnicity Diabetic Multiparity or grand parity Obesity History of previous LGA infant Prenatal ultrasound is very helpful for antenatal management. First trimester fetal ultrasound is excellent for determining gestational age. Fetal abdominal circumference 1-2 weeks before anticipated delivery (before 40 weeks gestation) is also excellent at determining fetal weight. After 40 weeks gestation it is not accurate for determining fetal weight. Similar to SGA infants having “catch-up” growth, LGA babies do show “catch-down” growth over time most of which is in the first 3 months of life especially for head circumference and length. However, LGA babies then show slower weight changes and long term consistently have higher BMI and subcutaneous fat. One study found, “The growth patterns of LGA preterm-born children are distinctly different from other preterm or full term children. In particular, we found substantially greater weight gains and relatively higher BMIs is among them, which a...
Source: PediatricEducation.org - Category: Pediatrics Authors: Tags: Uncategorized Source Type: news