Neonatal Outcomes of Macrosomic Births in Diabetic and Non-diabetic Women

Srikant Das ¹, Matilde Irigoyen ², Agnes Salvador ², Mary Beth Patterson ³ and David L Schutzman ^2*

¹ Emory University, United States
² Albert Einstein Medical Center, United States
³ UCLA Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, United States

^* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: schutzmand{at}einstein.edu.

Accepted 26 May 2009

Abstract

Objective: To compare the neonatal outcomes and birth injuries of macrosomic infants born to diabetic mothers (IDM) and non-diabetic (non-IDM) mothers.

Study design: This is a retrospective survey of all live born, singleton neonates with a birth weight of 4000 grams, delivered at the Albert Einstein Medical Center, Philadelphia during a three-year period, 2003 through 2005. 305 infants of the 7158 deliveries during this period met entry criteria. Data was analyzed using Chi square and Fisher exact test. Logistic regression analysis was also performed.

Result: Compared to IDMs, non-IDMs were born later (40 vs. 38 weeks) and were more likely to be delivered vaginally (70% vs. 34%). Half of the non-IDMs (49.6%) suffered at least one morbidity compared to 73.2% of the IDMs. Non-IDMs had a higher incidence of birth injury than IDMs (8% vs. 2.4%). Logistic regression showed an increased risk of poor outcome with weight >4499 gm. and vaginal delivery.

Conclusion: All macrosomic infants represent a high-risk group, regardless of maternal diabetes status.