Complications associated with macrosomic fetus in Calabar South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

A retrospective study to determine adverse perinatal outcome associated with macrosomic births was carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar (1994-2000). The incidence of macrosomic births was 1 in 25 deliveries. Perinatal mortality rate (PNMR) was 83 per 1000 births was highest in the birth weight range of 4.0 – 4.4kg (P = 0.004) and in macrosomic babies born by caesarean section (P=0.0019). The commonest indication for abdominal delivery was obstructed labour (14.4%) with an associated PNMR of 21.8 per 1000 births. Perinatal morbidity and mortality were seen in 25.3% of cases. Perinatal mortality is significantly high in the birth weight range of 4.0-4.4kg and in babies born abdonminally, mainly because of obstructed labour and ruptured uterus. Intervention before these complications occur may significantly reduce the adverse pregnancy outcome associated with macrosomic births. Keywords : fetal complications, macrosomia Mary Slessor Journal of Medicine Vol. 5(2) 2005: 5-7