Macrosomia

Who doesn’t love to see a roly-poly baby and marvel at his or her pudgy cuteness? You may have heard some moms complain about finding food particles between rolls of baby fat, but this usually elicits an “aww” rather than an “eww.” However, does a fat baby really translate to a healthy baby?

Overly fat babies are said to have macrosomia, which literally means “large body.” Some babies are born with this condition, and doctors have categorized babies larger than about 9 pounds, 15 ounces as being macrosomic. Having macrosomia at birth can actually translate into birth injuries and future health problems for the baby.

Causes of Macrosomia

Usually, the cause of macrosomia is a health issue with the mother while she is pregnant. Things like gestational diabetes and diabetes mellitus can lead to an overly large baby. Factors such as ethnicity, obesity while pregnant, higher than normal weight gain during pregnancy, and the gender of the baby can also lead to the development of macrosomia. In addition, mothers whose first child is large tend to have other big children.

Injuries and Problems

Due to the relatively narrow birth canal as compared to a baby with macrosomia, the child can suffer several birth injuries during delivery. First, a baby’s shoulder can get stuck behind the pubic bone during the birthing process. This can result in injuries called shoulder dystocia. In some cases, this can result in a broken collarbone or even death.

Researchers have been studying the link between macrosomia as an infant and future health issues. People whose mothers had gestational diabetes, which can cause macrosomia, have shown to be slightly more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and/or become obese.

Thankfully, the injuries that may result due to macrosomia can be avoided with c-sections, episiotomies, or other ways to help the baby out safely. However, if your doctor does not provide capable care, resulting in a birth injury, you should contact a lawyer about your options.

Contact Us

For more information on birth injuries, contact the Philadelphia birth injury lawyers of Lowenthal & Abrams, P.C., today at 215-238-1130.