Delivery of macrosomic babies: management and outcomes of 330 cases

This study reviews the deliveries of macrosomic babies and their outcomes. A total of 330 macrosomic (birth weight > or =4 kg) cases were studied retrospectively from July 1999 to December 1999 in the Maternity Hospital of Kuala Lumpur. The variables studied included induction of labour, mode of delivery and the incidence of maternal and perinatal complications. Three hundred and thirty macrosomic infants were delivered during the period of study. Vaginal delivery was achived in 56% of the study cases. The percentage of vaginal delivery was higher among those who had induction of labour (63%) compared to the group without induction of labour (50%). Vaginal delivery was planned in 267 mothers and of these 69% achieved vaginal delivery. Twelve per cent of the macrosomic infants were delivered by elective caesarean section. Shoulder dystocia occurred in 4.9% of vaginal deliveries. Eighty-eight neonates were admitted to the special care nursery unit and 57% of these infants were delivered by elective caesarean section. Perineal trauma occurred in 26% of vaginal deliveries. Post-partum haemorrhage occurred in 32% of caesarean deliveries compared to 4% in vaginal deliveries. Two cases of stillbirths were documented but no maternal death occurred during the period of study. Vaginal delivery is the most frequent mode of delivery for a fetus weighing in excess of 4 kg and vaginal delivery should be attempted in the absence of contraindications, because vaginal delivery has less maternal morbidity compared to caesarean delivery. However, shoulder dystocia remains a significant complication of vaginal delivery for macrosomic fetuses.