Woman delivers 5.9 kg baby, the heaviest in recent history; Know risks associated with it

Newborn on the right weighs 5.9 kgs, heaviest in the recent history (Pic: Cayuga Health/Facebook)

• New York woman gives birth to 5.9 kg baby, a recent record
• Baby's size linked to fetal macrosomia, a rare condition
• Doctors advise regular checkups and monitoring for such cases

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A woman from New York gave birth to a baby who weighed 5.9 kgs. The news is doing rounds, as the boy is reportedly the heaviest newborn in recent history. The infant is already wearing clothes and diapers that would otherwise fit a 3 to 6 month old baby.

The mother of the newborn said that she knew her child would be on the heavier side, but didn't expect the weight to be this much. A photo is doing rounds on the internet where the newborn is put next to another baby girl by the doctors, and the difference between their sizes is quite noticeable.

A baby born on the heavier side is due to a condition and that's called fetal macrosomia. Moneycontrol team spoke to Dr Archana Dhawan Bajaj, gynaecologist and IVF expert at Nurture, to understand more about the condition and if there's something worrisome about it.

"It is certainly an unusual case and this explains why the news is getting so much attention online. A baby that big can make delivery harder. Just because the baby is born heavy, one should not assume that something is medically wrong with the child," Dr Bajaj said.

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Fetal macrosomia

"A baby born weighing more than 4,000–4,500g (about 8.8–9.9lb) is due to a condition called fetal macrosomia. There are risk factors associated with this condition, and they include diabetes, obesity, gaining too much weight during pregnancy and being older," Dr Bajaj told Moneycontrol.

Precautions one could take

"Regular checkups, keeping blood sugar levels in check, eating well, and keeping an eye on fetal growth are all things that should be done to stay safe," Dr Bajaj added.

Some of the common problems that women may face during delivery of infants who are on the heavier side are:

• Labor pain
• Dystocia (when the baby does not exit the pelvis region during delivery of child)
• Increasing need for a cesarean section delivery
• Injury to the baby
• Bleeding after the baby is born

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"The baby may also have low blood sugar levels, face breathing problems, or become obese in the future. There are no specific signs of fetal macrosomia, but a higher fundal height or more amniotic fluid may mean the baby is bigger size. The condition should be monitored closely," he concluded.

FAQs on fetal macrosomia

Q. What is fetal macrosomia?

Fetal macrosomia refers to a baby born with a birth weight of more than 4,000–4,500 grams (8 pounds 13 ounces or more), regardless of gestational age.

Q. What causes fetal macrosomia?

Common causes include uncontrolled maternal diabetes (including gestational diabetes), excessive weight gain during pregnancy, obesity, prolonged pregnancy (beyond 40 weeks) and a history of delivering large babies.

Q. How is fetal macrosomia diagnosed?

Doctors estimate fetal size through physical examination and ultrasound. However, predicting exact birth weight before delivery can be challenging.

Q. What are the risks for the baby?

Babies with macrosomia may face birth injuries (like shoulder dystocia), low blood sugar after birth, breathing difficulties and a higher risk of obesity or metabolic issues later in life.

Q. What are the risks for the mother?

Mothers may experience prolonged labour, vaginal tears, heavy bleeding after delivery, or may require assisted delivery or a cesarean section.

Disclaimer: This article, including health and fitness advice, only provides generic information. Don’t treat it as a substitute for qualified medical opinion. Always consult a specialist for specific health diagnosis.