LGA Flashcards
What is LGA?
large for gestational age
birth weight >4,500g
Macrosomia
What are the causes of LGA?
Diabetes
post term pregnancy
maternal obesity/ excess weight gain
previous macrosomic infant
genetic presiposition
How is LGA detected?
serial clinical examination of SFH
ultrasound EFW or AC > 90th centile.
What are the complications of LGA?
- prolonged labour
- increased risk of c-section delivery
- increased risk of vacuum or forceps delivery
- shoulder dystocia
How do you manage LGA?
controversial…
- Screen for gestational diabetes
- Minimize maternal and fetal trauma at delivery
No evidence for:
* Induce by 39 weeks
* Elective CS
* Non-diabeticmotherif>5kg * Diabeticmotherif>4.5kg
What are you worried about most with LGA?
Shoulder dystocia
- But, 50% shoulder dystocia occur in normal weight fetus
- Shoulder dystocia impossible to predict or prevent
Turtle sign – head delivers, and then failure of delivery of shoulders – anterior shoulder “stuck” behind pubis
If inappropriate downward traction applied to release anterior shoulder, this stretches brachial plexus, leading to Erb’s palsy (avulsion C5-C6 nerve roots)
Most cases transient, 10% lead to permanent injury – “Waiter’s Tip” position