Multiple factors have been shown to increase likelihood of infant macrosomia including: preexisting obesity, diabetes, or dyslipidemia of the mother,<unk>  diabetes, post-term pregnancy, prior history of a macrosomic birth, genetics, and other factors. Risk factors Diabetes of the mother One of the primary risk factors of<unk>  births and macrosomia is poorly-controlled maternal diabetes, particularly<unk>  diabetes (GD), as well as preexisting type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). The risk of having a macrosomic fetus is three times greater in mothers with diabetes than those without diabetes. Obesity in the mother Obesity prior to pregnancy and maternal weight gain above recommended guidelines during pregnancy are another key risk factor for macrosomia or<unk>  infants. It has been demonstrated that while maternal obesity and<unk>  diabetes are independent risk factors for<unk>  and macrosomia, they can act synergistically, with even higher risk of macrosomia when both are present. Genetics Genetics can also play a role in having an<unk>  baby and it is seen that taller, heavier parents tend to have<unk> r babies. Genetic disorders of overgrowth (e.g. Beckwith–Wiedemann syndrome, Sotos syndrome, Perlman syndrome, Simpson-Golabi-Behmel syndrome) are often characterized by macrosomia. Other risk factors<unk>  age: pregnancies that go beyond 40 weeks increase incidence of an<unk>  infant * Fetal sex: male infants tend to weigh more than female infants * Multiparity: giving birth to previous<unk>  infants vs. non-LGA infants * Frozen embryo transfer as fertility treatment, as compared with fresh embryo transfer or no artificial assistance Mechanism How each of these factors leads to excess fetal growth is complex and not completed understood. Traditionally, the Pedersen hypothesis has been used to explain the mechanism in which uncontrolled<unk>  diabetes can lead to macrosomia, and many aspects of it have been confirmed with further studies. This explanation proposes that impaired glucose control in the mother leads to a hyperglycemic state for the fetus, which leads to a hyperinsulinemia response, in turn causing increased glucose metabolism, fat deposition, and excess growth. It has also been shown that different patterns of excess fetal growth are seen in diabetic associated macrosomia compared to other predisposing factors, suggesting different underlying mechanisms. Specifically, macrosomic infants associated with glucose abnormalities are seen to have increased body fat,<unk> r shoulders and abdominal circumference.
Large for gestational age
Small for gestational age
Low Birth Weight
Breech birth
Vanishing twin
Low birth weight
Fetal hydantoin syndrome
Neonatal hypocalcemia