What causes large for gestational age (LGA)?
Some babies are large because their parents are large; genetics does play a part. Birthweight may also be related to the amount of a mother’s weight gain in pregnancy. Excessive weight gain can translate to increased fetal weight. By far, maternal diabetes is the most common cause of LGA babies. Diabetes during pregnancy causes the mother’s increased blood glucose (sugar) to circulate to the baby. In response, the baby’s body makes insulin. All the extra sugar and the extra insulin production can lead to excessive growth and deposits of fat, thus, a larger baby.
