Prevalence and associated factors of fetal macrosomia in a rural community in Ghana

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 participants, 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 macrosomia.

Keywords

• fetal macrosomia
• maternal
• rural
• newborn
• determinants