Abstract:
Background: Macrosomia of the newborn is considered an adverse pregnancy outcome
over the last few decades, it has been increasing in many regions of the world. This study
aims to assess the determinants of macrosomia among women delivered in Gamo, Gofa, and
South Omo Zone's General Hospitals, Southern Ethiopia.
Method: An unmatched institution based case-control study was carried out from March 13
to April 30, 2020. Three general hospitals were selected and a total of 138 cases and 276
controls were involved by selecting first case and next two normal deliveries as controls
consecutively. The cases were all mothers who gave birth to a newborns with a birth weight
of ≥ 4kg and controls were all mothers who gave birth to a newborns with 2500gm-3999gm.
A structured questionnaire was developed and pretested before the actual data collection in
Chencha primary hospital. Variables in bivariate logistic regression with p-value ≤ 0.25, and
variables associated in previously studies and biologically plausible were selected for
multivariable logistic analysis. Data was presented using odds ratio with 95% confidence
interval, tables, and graphs. Finally, a statistical significance was declared at P-value < 0.05.
Results: After controlling for confounding variables using multivariable analysis showedthat an odds of macrosomia among mothers with history of previous macrosomic birth has
5.18 folds higher than odds of no previous history of macrosomic birth (AOR:5.18, 95%CI:
(2.70, 9.93)), being male infant has an odds of macrosomia almost 2 times higher than odds
of females (AOR: 1.96, 95%CI: (1.21, 3.16)), odds of macrosomia among mothers with
history of gestational diabetes mellitis (GDM) has 2.51 times higher than an odds of mothers
who do not have gestational diabetes mellitis(GDM) (AOR:2.51, 95%CI: (1.93, 6.73)), odds
of macrosomia among birth order of newborn above or equal to second has 3.87 times higher
than odds of being first (AOR: 3.87, 95%CI: (1.60, 9.35)) and intake of snacks has almost 2
fold increases odds of macrosomia among mothers who has history of intake than odds of
mothers who do not take it (AOR=1.96, 95%CI: 1.18, 3.26).
Conclusion and recommendation: The previous history of macrosomia, Gestationaldiabetes mellitus, being male infant, higher birth order, and intake of snacks increases the
occurrence of macroscopic. Thus, counseling on strengthening antenatal care follow up and
health education on diabetes mellifluous and intake of snacks during pregnancy are imperative
to decrease the magnitude of macroscopic