At what percentile does a neonate fall to be classified as large-for-gestational-age (LGA)?

A neonate is classified as large-for-gestational-age (LGA) when their birth weight is above the 90th percentile for their gestational age. This classification indicates that the infant's size is significantly larger than the average size of neonates at the same gestational age.

Classifying an infant as LGA is important for clinical assessment and management because it can be associated with certain risk factors during delivery and potential complications both in the newborn period and later in life. Infants who are LGA may experience challenges such as birth injuries, respiratory difficulties, and increased likelihood of cesarean delivery due to their size.

The choice of the 90th percentile specifically aligns with standard definitions used in neonatology, which differentiates between various weight classifications including LGA, appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA), and small-for-gestational-age (SGA). Understanding these classifications helps healthcare providers determine the appropriate interventions and monitoring needed as each category may have different needs and risks associated with it.