Investigation of Frequency and Risk Factors of Macrosomia in Infants of Asali Hospital of Khoramabad City

Macrosomia is a term applied to newborns with a birth weight more than of 4000 gr which cause different maternal and neonatal complications. Several risk factors has been known for macrosomia. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to estimate the frequency and evaluate of risk factors of macrosomia in Asalian hospital of Khorramabad in 2010. This study was undertaken in Khorramabad, Iran. The data collection instrument was a questionnaire containing 10 variables as the risk factors of macrosomia. The data were analyzed using the SPSS software. 59 cases of macrosomia were found in 500 living births, and the frequency of macrosomia was 11.8%. Also, 69.5% of the neonates were male and 30.5% were female. Maternal risk factors were mother''s age at pregnancy, mother''s obesity (BMI>=30), weight gain more than 18 kg during pregnancy, history of diabetes mellitus, history of macrosomia, prolonged gestational age, and multiparity (parity>=5). There was no significant relationship between mother''s job and macrosomia. The prevalence of macrosomia in Khorramabad was high (11.8%). Preventing pregnancy in mothers over 35 years of age by contraception ways, preventing maternal obesity before pregnancy, and control of blood glucose during pregnancy by suitable diet and insulin therapy are recommended to prevent macrosomia.