Large for gestational age (patient information)

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Editor-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S.,M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Lakshmi Gopalakrishnan, M.B.B.S.

Large for gestational age (LGA) means that a fetus or infant is larger or more developed than normal for the baby’s gestational age.

• Gestational age is a measure of the growth and development of the fetus in the uterus and the infant after birth.

• LGA refers to a fetus or infant who is larger than expected for the age and gender or with a birth weight above the 90th percentile.

Common causes of a fetus or infant who is large for gestational age are:

• Gestational diabetes
• Prolonged pregnancy

The measurement is based on the estimated gestational age of the fetus or infant, compared with what is considered normal height, weight, head size, and developmental level for a fetus or infant of the same age and gender.

Directions to Hospitals Treating Large for gestational age

A baby that is large for gestational age has a higher risk of birth injury and complications of low blood sugar after delivery.

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002248.htm

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