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Jonathan Rosenfeld
J.D

March 2, 2023

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According to a Study Released by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), babies born with the birth weight of more than 8.8 pounds (large babies) “have increased risk of cerebral palsy associated with neonatal encephalopathy (Enc-CP).”

Newborns that are macrosomic (large for their gestational age) are often the result of gestational diabetes, maternal obesity or another untreated health condition of the mother. Macrosomia (LGA – large for gestational age) can be prevented with appropriate maternal health screening and routine monitoring of the mother’s health during pregnancy.

Macrosomia Pregnant Woman

It is crucial that doctors diagnose macrosomia prenatally and monitor changes using various tools including ultrasounds the estimate fetal weight, amniotic fluid tests, fundal height measurements and Leopold maneuvers (a systematic process for determining fetal position in the mother’s uterus.

A failure to diagnose macrosomia and treat the mother accordingly might be considered a deviation from the standards of care and pose a significant health risk to both the baby and the mother.

Birth Weight Is a Primary Cause of Fetal Macrosomia

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) acknowledges there is a significant risk to maternal and newborn morbidity and children delivered with the birth weight of 4000 g (8.188 pounds). This is on the upper end of the range of average birth weight.

Large babies are typically the result of a high-risk pregnancy that results in birth injuries including cerebral palsy, Erb’s palsy, traumatic brain injuries, brain bleeding, and HIE (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy).

Typically, doctors would perform a cesarean delivery when there is suspected fetal macrosomia. They would monitor the estimated fetal weight and act when there are potential maternal complications.

If your child was considered to be ‘large’ at birth and developed complications, such as cerebral palsy, contact Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers LLC for a free review of your legal rights and options for a financial recovery. Our firm handles birth injury lawsuits on a contingency fee basis where there is never a legal fee charged unless there is a recovery for you.

Risk Factors for Fetal Macrosomia

Macrosomia typically develops in the womb when the fetus receives an abundance of nutrients that might be caused by the mother’s obesity or diabetic condition, especially a gestational diabetic condition. In rare cases, the fetus might be suffering from a genetic medical condition, which accelerates fetal growth.

Many factors can increase the potential risk of the newborn suffering from macrosomia.

The leading factors include:

  • Mother’s Diabetes Mellitus Condition– The fetus can grow inside the womb at an accelerated rate if the mother suffers from type II diabetes (diabetes mellitus). The increase in fetal body weight is often the result of the mother’s elevated insulin and blood sugar levels that overly stimulate the baby’s growth.
  • Mother’s Obesity– Macrosomia can develop during pregnancy if the mother gains an excessive amount of weight was obese before becoming pregnant.
  • Previous Pregnancies– Pregnant women who have had an earlier pregnancy have an increased risk of experiencing fetal macrosomia. It is a common occurrence that the 2nd to 5th child born to the same mother will have an increased body weight of up to hundred 20 g (4 ounces).
  • Multiple Births– Pregnancies involving multiple gestations (twins, triplets, quadruplets, etc.) have an increased potential risk of macrosomia events.
  • Post-term Pregnancies – Overdue pregnancies, or any pregnancy that takes longer than 40 weeks, increases the potential risk of macrosomia incidents.
  • Older Pregnancy Age– Pregnant mothers 35 years or older have an increased risk of having a baby diagnosed with an LGA condition.
  • Male Babies– In the womb and at birth, boys tend to weigh significantly more (10 pounds and higher) than girls.
  • Genetics– There are certain genetic factors involved in birthing a macrosomia baby including taller and heavier biological parents.
  • Antibiotic Use While Pregnant– Studies have shown that pregnant mothers taking antibiotic medications including pivampicillin and amoxicillin increases the chance of birthing a macrosomic baby.
  • Congenital Anomaly– The increased potential risk of developing macrosomia is elevated if the fetus suffers from a cardiac malformation like transposition of the great vessels.
  • Overgrowth Genetic Disorder– There are certain genetic disorders including Sotos syndrome (overgrowth during childhood, distinctive facial characteristics, delay development, restricted movement, and learning disabilities during the first few years of life) that often presents itself as macrosomia during pregnancy or at birth.

Gestational Diabetes as a Cause of Fetal Macrosomia

Nearly all macrosomia cases involve material weight gain, obesity or maternal diabetes. Unfortunately, the larger size of the baby can lead to other birthing problems including shoulder dystocia involving delivery problems when the mother’s pelvis blocks the baby shoulders in the birth canal.

What causes fetal macrosomia in a mother’s pregnancy is an important factor to consider to ensure the child’s health and an adverse perinatal outcome. Pregnant women with known risk factors should talk to their doctor about macrosomia being a concern.

The obstetrician can provide different medical options to reduce the potential risk to the child and the mother including controlling weight gain, planning a cesarean section and more.

Pregnancy Weight Gain as a Cause of Fetal Macrosomia

Pregnancy weight gain is a major risk factor for fetal macrosomia. When the mother progresses beyond a healthy weight, they can harm both their health and that of the baby. The excess weight could increase the mother’s risk of heart disease.

The more weight the mother gains [1], the more weight the child will usually gain.

Gestational Age as a Cause of Fetal Macrosomia

When the baby has prolonged gestation, they may gain too much weight, and the risk of fetal macrosomia increases. The doctor will continuously monitor the child’s height and weight during the pregnancy. When a baby approaches a certain size, the doctor should consider both the health of the child and mother and perform a cesarean section delivery.

What Are the Indicators of Fetal Macrosomia?

There are two signs associated with macrosomia for gynecologists providing neonatal care. These indicators include:

  • Polyhydramnios (Too Much Amniotic Fluid)– During pregnancy, the buildup of excessive levels of amniotic fluid that protects and surrounds the fetus could be an indicator of a large-size baby. The fluid might be the buildup of excessive urine output by the fetus because larger babies tend to produce more urine.
  • Larger Fundal Height– Obstetricians can monitor the mother’s fundal height (McDonald’s rule) by measuring the size of the uterus to determine fetal growth and take appropriate measures to treat any conditions that could increase risk factors including maternal obesity or diabetes.

Managing Macrosomia

To prevent fetal macrosomia, it is crucial that the neonatal physician identifies the underlying cause of the condition before the baby comes to full-term. In many pregnancies involving macrosomia, vaginal delivery is still an option.

However, some newborns are at risk of suffering grave injury if the obstetrician must use tools including forceps and vacuum extractors during the birthing process when the baby has trouble progressing past the pubic bone.

In some cases, these instruments can cause traumatic head injuries. Because of that, doctors often recommend a cesarean section (see section) delivery to ensure a successful macrosomic delivery. Many doctors will evaluate amniotic fluid levels after the 39th week to identify any problems that might arise including underdeveloped lungs or other conditions.

Maternal and Neonatal Complications

Common complications associated with pregnancies involving macrosomia can include:

  • Uterine Rupture– Serious emergencies can occur during labor and delivery if the mother’s uterus ruptures during the birthing process. In some cases, the uterus will tear open on a scar from an earlier surgery or cesarean section and redirect the fetus out of the mother’s birth canal and into the abdomen. In some cases, excessive pressure or force during the delivery process caused by the excessive baby’s large size can increase the potential risk of a uterine rupture. Many maternal and fetal deaths are the result of a uterine rupture or the newborn suffering fetal asphyxia (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy). Typically, the doctor must perform an emergency cesarean section to minimize complications or prevent life-threatening problems.
  • HIE (Hypoxic-Ischemic Encephalopathy)– Fetal asphyxia can be a serious complication in macrosomic pregnancies where the baby’s brain is deprived of much-needed oxygen. HIE often results in permanent injuries including learning disabilities, seizures, Erb’s palsy and cerebral palsy when brain cells die from a lack of oxygen. This condition often develops when the baby is too large to travel through the mother’s birth canal and instead becomes stuck causing the restriction of essential flow of oxygenated blood to the baby’s body and brain.
  • Brachial Plexus Injury– Babies can develop Erb’s palsy when caught in the birth canal when experiencing a neck tear that damages the brachial plexus nerve in the baby’s upper arm, caused by downward traction. Typically, a brachial plexus injury occurs because of a force compressing the umbilical cord during the delivery process that restricts oxygen flow and causes a permanent injury like HIE (hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy).
  • Cesarean Section– Birthing a large baby increases the potential risk of complications associated with delivery if the newborn becomes stuck in the birth canal that can only be remedied with an emergency cesarean section. If the C-section takes too long perform, it could cause oxygen deprivation to the baby and cause lifelong health issues including cerebral palsy.
  • Vacuum Extractors and Forceps-Associated Injuries– Delivery instruments are sometimes used during the birthing process to assist a macrosomic baby who has become more might become stuck in the birth canal. However, when doctors use vacuum extractors and forceps incorrectly, the baby’s head may experience extreme forces that can cause a blood clot or intracranial hemorrhage that leads to brain cell damage, stroke, brachial plexus injury, ischemia, or cerebral palsy. The extreme force can result in skull fractures; I have leads (retinal hemorrhage), brain damage including seizures and cerebral palsy, and brain bleeds involving subgaleal hemorrhages.
  • Post-delivery Bleeding– Mothers can suffer severe uterine atony after giving birth if the uterus failed to contract after the birthing process that could lead to postpartum hemorrhage where the excessive bleeding causes a life-threatening condition to the mother.
  • Post-delivery Child’s Complications– Even if the child survives their macrosomic delivery, there are certain complications that could develop in the days, months and years after their birth. Some of these complications include:
    • Cerebral Palsy and Erb’s Palsy
    • Elevated Blood Sugar Levels
    • Obesity
    • Developing Metabolic Syndrome

Medical Malpractice Involving Macrosomia & Injuries to the Child

The neonatal physician and obstetrician must monitor the baby and the mother during pregnancy, labor, and delivery to identify macrosomia-related risk factors. Doctors must act to facilitate a healthy pregnancy and practice proper maternal fetal medicine.

When macrosomic conditions are found, the doctor must be prepared for the worst-case scenario that could occur during delivery. Saving the lives of the mother and baby might require delivering the newborn early or performing an emergency cesarean section.

It is the doctor’s responsibility to inform the pregnant mother of the potentially serious complications involved in the delivery and all the options she has to ensure delivering a safe and healthy baby.

In some cases, the physician might be held legally liable for medical malpractice if they were negligent in their actions by:

  • Not ordering a cesarean section;
  • Failure to act when there is excessive weight gain during pregnancy
  • Inappropriately using delivery instruments like vacuum extractors and forceps;
  • Forcing the mother to have a vaginal birth that led to a birth injury;
  • Improperly using oxytocin/Pitocin during labor and delivery;
  • Not acting promptly during an emergent situation that necessitated an immediate cesarean section to avoid the child experiencing asphyxia;
  • Not providing the patient adequate information to make an informed consent and how to deal with the risks associated with a macrosomic birth and delivery alternatives.

Medical Malpractice for Fetal Macrosomia

If the doctor has failed to uphold their standard of care, you can hold them legally responsible in a lawsuit. You would have to show that the doctor did not act as a reasonable doctor would under the circumstances. First, you would contact a birth injury lawyer who would review your child’s medical records and consult with expert witnesses to establish where the doctor made a medical mistake.

Attorneys for Fetal Macrosomia Cases

Handling these cases in court often involves complex legal issues. An attorney working on behalf of the family can review the mother and child’s medical records and identify any negligence that might have played a role that resulted in a birthing injury.

However, time is of the essence. All the necessary paperwork must be filed in the proper county courthouse before the state statute of limitations expires.

Contact the birth injury attorneys at Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers today and let us evaluate if your child’s condition is related to a large birth weight.

Resources: [1] NIH

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