Atli Dagbjartsson

Obstetric and neonatal risks among extremely macrosomic babies and their mothers

OBJECTIVE We estimated the risk of complications at birth of extremely large babies (≥5000 g). STUDY DESIGN This was a cohort study including all births of extremely large babies in 1996 through 2005 and comparison cohort with normal birthweight (1:2) identified in the national birth registration. RESULTS There were 343 extremely large babies or 0.9% of all singletons. Compared to the normal birthweight cohort (n = 679), there were increased odds of shoulder dystocia (odds ratio [OR], 26.9; 95% confidence interval [CI], 11.1-65.1), emergency cesarean section (OR, 5.2; 95% CI, 3.4-8.0), and failed labor induction (OR, 4.3; 95% CI, 1.7-11.0). The risk of elective section was not increased (OR, 1.1; 95% CI, 0.6-2.0). Minor congenital malformations were more frequent (OR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.2-3.7), as were birth injuries (OR, 3.7; 95% CI, 2.1-6.8) and minor metabolic disturbance (OR, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.1-6.2), but not asphyxial births. CONCLUSION The risk of shoulder dystocia for very large babies is markedly raised, as are minor complications, while for mothers the main risk is emergency section.

Disabilities and health of extremely low-birthweight teenagers: a population-based study.

Aim:  Evaluation of long‐term outcome of extremely low‐birthweight (ELBW) teenagers born in Iceland in 1991–1995.