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Macrosomia
Macrosomia refers to a very large body size. It is often used to describe an oversized fetus.
Information
The most common cause of macrosomia is diabetes in the mother. Macrosomia can lead to injury during birth and a greater chance of a Cesarean delivery .
Diabetes
A fetus (baby) of a mother with diabetes may be exposed to high blood sugar (glucose) levels throughout the pregnancy.
Cesarean delivery
A C-section is the delivery of a baby through a surgical opening in the mother's lower belly area. It is also called a cesarean delivery.
References
Blickstein I, Perlman S, Hazon Y, et al. Diabetes mellitus during pregnancy. In: Martin RJ, Fanaroff AA, Walsh MC, eds. Fanaroff and Martin's Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 19.
Ramos GA, Moore TR. Endocrine disorders in pregnancy. In: Gleason CA, Devaskar SU, eds. Avery's Diseases of the Newborn . 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 9.
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Macrosomia - illustration
Macrosomia is the condition of having an unusually large body. The body is in proportion, with the extremities and head also enlarged. Disorders that include this condition are gigantism and acromegaly.
Macrosomia
illustration
Review Date: 11/19/2015
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
