Question

A term infant weighed shortly after birth was determined to be above the 90th percentile for birth weight. What condition should the RT anticipate contributed to this finding?

a) Small for gestational age (SGA)
b) Macrosomia
c) Prematurity
d) Intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR)

Answer 1

An infant above the 90th percentile for birth weight is likely to have macrosomia, which indicates a larger-than-average newborn often due to maternal diabetes or genetic factors.

Step-by-step explanation:

If a term infant is weighed shortly after birth and the weight is determined to be above the 90th percentile for birth weight, the condition that the Respiratory Therapist (RT) should anticipate contributed to this finding is macrosomia. Macrosomia refers to a newborn that is significantly larger than average, often defined as a birth weight of over 4.5 kg (10 pounds) regardless of gestational age. This condition can be caused by various factors including maternal diabetes, prolonged pregnancy, and generic predispositions.