Background: Large foetus is associated with increased risk of complications during labour and delivery.
Material and methods: Data on deliveries and outcome of 504 macrosomic newborns (> or = 4,500 g) born 1995-97 at Rogaland Central Hospital, Norway.
Results: 74% of the mothers were multiparae. Mean weight increase during pregnancy was 17.6 kg. In 76% of the pregnancies delivery occurred after term. There were large margins of error both in terms of measurement of fundal height and after estimation with ultrasound. 12% of the newborns had shoulder dystocia. Six children were diagnosed with a brachial plexus injury; three injuries were still present three months after birth. Induction of labour did not increase the Apgar score or diminish the frequency of shoulder dystocia, but it did increase the frequency of operative deliveries and transfer to the neonatal unit.
Interpretation: The study confirms that large foetus is associated with risk of complications.