PEDIATRICS Vol. 60 No. 2 August 1977, pp. 185
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A GIANT BIRTH-A MALE INFANT WEIGHING 23 3/4 POUNDS-REPORTED IN 1879

T. E. C. Jr. M.D.

I believe the infant reported below is the heaviest ever recorded.

The mother . . . stands 7 feet 9 inches . . . [her husband] is 7 feet 7 inches in height. . . . At 12 M., January 15, 1879, I was called upon to attend this lady in confinement. . . . I found her surrounded with competent attendants, and everything in order. . . . After a convenient time . . . I proceeded to make an examination, but was unable to reach the os uteri, it being so far up. . . . At the end of 36 hours the pains became more frequent, and on examination I found the os dilating and labor progressing favorably. The head engaged . . . notwithstanding the long interval between pains, the head made good speed through the great depth of [the] pelvis. At 4 P.M., on the 18th . . . the membranes gave way spontaneously and the amniotic fluid came pouring out so profusely as to startle every one. . . .The bed was well protected with rubber blankets, which carried the waters over the side of the bed, where they were caught in vessels to the amount of five gallons. That lost by absorption and evacuated with succeeding pains, would make the total of water not less than six gallons. Soon after the rupture of membranes the foetal head . . . disengaged. . . . The mother was in good condition, the foetus seemed strong and healthy, and everything mdicated a speedy and successful termination.