Intermediate
Technical
In the Industry Vocabulary Test
large for gestational age
Also written as: LGA — Large for Gestational Age
Birth weight above the 90th percentile for gestational age, often associated with maternal diabetes.
Full Definition
A classification for infants whose birth weight exceeds the 90th percentile when plotted on standardized growth charts for their gestational age. LGA infants are commonly born to mothers with gestational or pre-gestational diabetes mellitus due to increased maternal glucose crossing the placenta. These infants face increased risks including birth trauma, hypoglycemia, and respiratory distress.
Usage
Usage note: Hyphenate when used as compound modifier; distinguish from macrosomia, which refers specifically to birth weight >4000g.
In Context
- "The LGA infant born to a diabetic mother required close glucose monitoring in the first 24 hours." — Nursing care plan
- "Large for gestational age classification prompted shoulder dystocia concerns during delivery." — Obstetric consultation
Also known as
LGA
macrosomic
Contrasted with
small for gestational age
appropriate for gestational age
Don't confuse with
macrosomia
overgrown for gestational age