Abstract:
Foetal macrosomia is known to contribute to various perinatal and maternal
complications. Additionally, it has been proven to be a primary determinant of the
survival of a newborn baby. We sought to determine the prevalence and associated
factors of fetal macrosomia in Eikwe, a rural community in the Western part of Ghana.
This hospital-based cross-sectional survey conducted from January 2017 to May 2017
engaged 200 women with singleton pregnancies at the maternity/labor unit of the St
Martins de pores Hospital. Questionnaires were administered to establish socio-
economic and demographic characteristics of respondents while obstetric data were
retrieved from participants’ medical records/files. Maternal factors associated with
macrosomia were examined using multiple logistic regressions. Of the 200 partici-
pants, the prevalence of fetal macrosomia was 6.5% [95% CI: 3.50%–10.86%]. Majority
of the participants’ ages ranged between 21–25 (28.5%) and 26–30 (26.30%) years.
Most of the participants were multigravida 99 (49.5%) and multipara 76 (38.0%)
respectively. Aspiration of the meconium (p < 0.001) and poor Apgar score at the
first minute were significantly associated (p = 0.011) with fetal macrosomia. Obesity 7
(53.8%) [11.91 (1.91–63.08), p = 0.019] and history of fetal macrosomia 9 (69.2%)
[172.5 (29.37–1088.63), p < 0.001] were significantly associated with macrosomia. The
prevalence of fetal macrosomia was 6.5% [95% CI: 3.50%–10.86%]; the previous
history of fetal macrosomia and obesity were the main predictors of macrosomia.
Moreover, poor Apgar score and aspiration of the meconium were the complications
associated with fetal macrosomi
