Confluence of newborn's sex and their mother's characteristics resulting in fetal macrosomia among Indian neonates

Background

A newborn's birth weight ≥4000 g is defined as fetal macrosomia, which is recognized as a reproductive and serious child health concern.

Objectives

Our study aims to reveal existence of any connection between maternal factors and newborn sex in giving birth to newborn ≥4000 g in an Indian context.

Methods

Data were drawn from the fifth round of National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5). A cross-sectional observational study was carried out with a total of 152,827 children born to women in reproductive age group (15–49) who had most recent live birth in the five years preceding the survey. Descriptive analyses, cross-tabulation, test of association and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed.

Results

In India, the prevalence of macrosomia was found in 3.8% of the total study participants. Considering newborn characteristics, fetal macrosomia was more prevalent among male neonates than female (AOR: 0.730; 95% CI: 0.687–0.775). Regarding maternal characteristics, overweight (AOR: 1.468; 95% CI: 2.042–2.559) and obese (AOR: 2.764; 95% CI: 2.394–3.192) motherswith gestational diabetes (AOR: 1.731, 95% CI: 1.385–2.164) and hypertension (AOR: 1.288, 95% CI: 1.116–1.488) were more likely to giving birth of macrosomic babies. Multiparous mothers (AOR: 1.207, 95% CI: 1.128–1.293) and women who did not undergo proper antenatal care (ANC) follow up had also greater risk of developing fetal macrosomia. Muslim women (AOR: 1.223, 95% CI: 1.119–1.338), and women belonging to a tribe (AOR: 1.476, 95% CI: 0.922–2.361) were significantly associated with the risk of having newborn ≥4000 g.

Conclusion

Emphasis should be given on counseling for mothers for desired weight management before and during pregnancy, gestational diabetes and hypertension screening, physical activity during pregnancy, adequate ANC follow up and balanced dietary intake among pregnant women.