A six-year retrospective study of newborns at our hospital. A total of 996 macrosomic newborns were found. Maternal characteristics, mode of delivery, and perinatal outcomes were studied.
Of 18,005 newborns, 996 were macrosomic infants (5.53%). Of these, 103 (10.3%) were born to diabetic mothers. Diabetic mothers had higher parity (1.89 vs. 1.35; p < 0.000), cesarean section rate (52.4 vs. 31.1%; p < 0.05), and resuscitation rate (5.8 vs. 1.8%; p < 0.006; RR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.42–5.9), and greater need for hospitalization (19.4 vs. 9.6%; p < 0.002; RR: 2; 95% CI: 1.3–3.2) and intensive care (5.8 vs. 0.7%; p < 0.000; RR: 5.3; 95% CI: 2.8–10) mostly for hypoglycemia (7.8 vs. 1%; p < 0.000; RR: 5; 95% CI: 2.8–8.3), jaundice (8.7 vs. 2.1%; p < 0.000; RR: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.9–5.9), respiratory distress (4.9 vs. 1.3%; p < 0.009; RR: 2.9; 95% CI: 1.4–6.7), and asphyxia (2.9 vs. 0.4%; p < 0.005; RR: 4.3; 95% CI: 1.8–11.1). No differences were found in birth trauma.
Macrosomic infants born to diabetic mothers have an increased risk of hospital admission in the neonatal period for hypoglycemia, jaundice, respiratory distress, and asphyxia, and a greater need of intensive care. Obstetric trauma rates were similar in both groups.