What is a common fetal risk associated with macrosomia?

Shoulder dystocia is a significant fetal risk associated with macrosomia, which refers to an excessive fetal growth typically defined as a birth weight greater than 4,000 grams. The larger size of macrosomic infants increases the likelihood of encountering difficulties during delivery, especially in the context of the fetal shoulders becoming lodged behind the pubic symphysis of the mother during delivery.

In these cases, the shoulder engagement can obstruct the birth canal, making it challenging to complete the delivery. This complication can lead to more serious outcomes, such as nerve injuries (for example, Erb's palsy) and other types of physical trauma to the baby. Awareness of shoulder dystocia is crucial for healthcare providers, as timely and appropriate management strategies can significantly reduce the risks associated with this condition.

The other options involve conditions that do not directly link with the primary concerns raised by macrosomia. For instance, low birth weight is inherently contradictory to the concept of macrosomia, which is characterized by high birth weight. Increased maternal blood loss can occur with various obstetric complications, but it is not a direct consequence of fetal macrosomia itself. Preeclampsia, while a maternal condition that can impact pregnancy, is not directly a fetal risk associated specifically with macrosomic infants