Prevention of shoulder dystocia related birth injuries: Myths and facts

Table 2 Birthweight distribution in 316 cases of fetal damage associated with shoulder dystocia¹

Birth weights	Number of cases	Percentage of total
2500-2999 g	6	2%
3000-3499 g	20	6.0%
3500-3999 g	68	21.5%
=	=	=
4000-4499 g	107	34%
-	-	-
4500-4999 g	72	22%
5000-5499 g	32	10.5%
5500-5999 g	9	3%
≥ 6000 g	2	0.5%

=: Traditional borderline for macrosomia; -: New American borderline for macrosomia. Based on traditional standards, less than 10% of all fetuses qualify for the definition of macrosomia. In this material 70% of all birth injuries were sustained by neonates belonging to this group. ¹Tables 2-4 show the results of mathematical calculations presented in previous publications. Copies of original articles containing details of the data analysis by the group’s biostatistician can be obtained from the author.