"Like Giving Birth to a Three-Month-Old": Medical Staff Stunned by 5.8 kg Super-Giant Baby

Nearly Twice the Average Birth Weight for Newborns
Gestational Diabetes and Maternal Obesity as Main Causes

A super-premium baby weighing about 5.8 kg at birth has made headlines in the United States. On January 1 (local time), the British media outlet Daily Mail introduced a recent case of a super-premium baby born in the United States. Maki Smith, a 35-year-old resident of Arlington, Texas, gave birth to her third son, Canyon, by cesarean section at 8:26 a.m. on December 18 last year. Canyon weighed about 5.8 kg at birth, making him one of the largest newborns in the history of the hospital. Smith recalled, "He looked like a three-month-old baby as soon as he was born," and added, "It felt like holding a bowling ball or a sack of bricks." The medical staff shared that the entire delivery room was filled with surprise at the baby's weight immediately after birth.

Mother Maki Smith, who gave birth to a super-premium baby, and her third son Canyon, born by cesarean section. Photo by Daily Mail

After birth, Canyon was briefly monitored in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) to closely observe his weight and respiratory status, but he is currently growing healthily without any special complications. Smith said, "He cried out vigorously and even urinated right after birth, showing how energetic he was," and added, "He eats well, has a gentle personality, and is truly adorable."

Almost Twice the Average... What Is a 'Super-Premium Baby'?

The average birth weight of newborns in the United States is approximately 2.7 to 3.6 kg. In South Korea, the average birth weight is known to be 3.3 kg for boys and 3.2 kg for girls. Generally, a birth weight of 4 kg or more is classified as a "large baby," and 5 kg or more as a "super-premium baby." Canyon's weight is nearly double the average. The main causes of super-premium babies include gestational diabetes, maternal obesity, advanced maternal age, and large parental physique. If the mother has high blood sugar, excessive nutrients can be transferred to the fetus, leading to increased weight.

The average birth weight of newborns in the United States is approximately 2.7 to 3.6 kg. In South Korea, the average birth weight is known to be 3.3 kg for boys and 3.2 kg for girls. The photo is not related to the specific content of the article. Pixabay

When a super-premium baby is delivered naturally, there are considerable risks for both the mother and the baby. Even if the mother has a large pelvis, delivering a baby weighing more than 4 kg naturally can result in respiratory distress, fractures of the arms or shoulders, and nerve damage in the newborn. The mother is also at higher risk for preeclampsia and severe injuries to the perineum or anus. For this reason, most cases where a super-premium baby is expected result in a cesarean section. Giving birth to a large baby can also have effects after delivery. If delivery occurs through a narrow birth canal, the baby's nose may be compressed, causing a deviated nasal septum, which can later lead to nasal congestion or sinusitis and other respiratory conditions.

Effects After Birth... Caution Needed During Growth

In fact, cases of super-premium babies have occasionally been reported overseas. In 2019, a boy weighing about 6.3 kg at birth drew attention from local media in New York, United States. In 2020, a newborn weighing about 6 kg was delivered by cesarean section in Brazil, surprising the medical staff. Among these, the heaviest baby on record is said to be a boy born in Canada in 1879, with a birth weight of about 10.8 kg. However, there is some controversy over the accuracy of this record, as modern medical record-keeping systems were not in place at the time. Nevertheless, this case is still frequently mentioned as the 'heaviest newborn in history.'