He Hui, Miao Huazhang, Deng Zhi, Zhang Ye, Luo Xianqiong
Guangdong Women and Children Hospital, Guangzhou, 511442, China.
J Health Popul Nutr. 2025 Jul 12;44(1):253. doi: 10.1186/s41043-025-00959-3.
Infants categorized as large for gestational age (LGA) or with macrosomia face an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes and metabolic syndrome. However, the epidemiological characteristics of LGA and macrosomia are not well understood. This study aims to describe these characteristics in detail.
Descriptive statistical methods were employed to analyze the prevalence of large for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia, as well as their distribution from 2014 to 2021, using data from the Guangdong Women and Children Health Information System. Retrospective data on birthweight, gender, method of delivery, maternal age, and household registration were collected. Additionally, the correlation between prevalence rates and gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was assessed.
The study included data from 12,992,558 singleton live births for LGA and 12,999,759 for macrosomia. The overall prevalence of LGA and macrosomia in southern China between 2014 and 2021 was 8.59% and 2.33%, respectively. During the study period, the prevalence of LGA in preterm infants (13.64%) was significantly higher than in full-term infants (8.34%), while macrosomia occurred more frequently in full-term infants (2.43%) and male infants (2.98%). The prevalence of LGA and macrosomia in winter was 9.94% and 2.59%, respectively, much higher than in other seasons. Additionally, the rate of LGA and macrosomia among infants born to mothers of advanced maternal age (≥ 35 years) was 13.52% and 3.57%, significantly higher than the 7.79% and 2.17% observed among those born to mothers younger than 35 years. Furthermore, the nine cities in the Pearl River Delta region accounted for the majority of LGA and macrosomia cases in southern China from 2014 to 2021.
Between 2014 and 2021, the overall birth rate in southern China showed a declining trend, while the prevalence of large for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia increased. The liberalization of China's birth policy, coupled with the rise in advanced maternal and paternal ages, contributed to the higher rates of LGA and macrosomia. Additionally, most LGA infants may be born at an earlier gestational age. LGA and macrosomia are more commonly observed in winter, with birth peaks occurring at the beginning of the following year.
被归类为大于胎龄儿（LGA）或巨大儿的婴儿面临不良妊娠结局和代谢综合征的风险增加。然而，LGA和巨大儿的流行病学特征尚未得到充分了解。本研究旨在详细描述这些特征。
采用描述性统计方法，利用广东省妇幼健康信息系统的数据，分析2014年至2021年大于胎龄儿（LGA）和巨大儿的患病率及其分布情况。收集了出生体重、性别、分娩方式、产妇年龄和户籍的回顾性数据。此外，评估了患病率与人均国内生产总值（GDP）之间的相关性。
该研究纳入了12992558例LGA单胎活产数据和12999759例巨大儿单胎活产数据。2014年至2021年期间，中国南方LGA和巨大儿的总体患病率分别为8.59%和2.33%。在研究期间，早产儿中LGA的患病率（13.64%）显著高于足月儿（8.34%），而巨大儿在足月儿（2.43%）和男婴（2.98%）中更为常见。冬季LGA和巨大儿的患病率分别为9.94%和2.59%，远高于其他季节。此外，高龄产妇（≥35岁）所生婴儿中LGA和巨大儿的发生率分别为13.52%和3.57%，显著高于35岁以下产妇所生婴儿的7.79%和2.17%。此外，2014年至2021年期间，珠江三角洲地区的9个城市占中国南方LGA和巨大儿病例的大多数。
2014年至2021年期间，中国南方的总体出生率呈下降趋势，而大于胎龄儿（LGA）和巨大儿的患病率有所上升。中国生育政策的放开，加上高龄产妇和高龄父亲的增加，导致了LGA和巨大儿的发生率较高。此外，大多数LGA婴儿可能在较早的孕周出生。LGA和巨大儿在冬季更为常见，出生高峰出现在次年年初。
