HUNDREDS of big babies were delivered by St Helens and Knowsley Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust last year, new figures have revealed.

There were 3,985 babies born and weighed at the trust in the 12 months to March 2018, according to NHS Digital data.

Of that figure, 440 tipped the scales at 4kg, or 8lb 13oz, or more, which is considered to be the benchmark for a baby to be considered large.

The medical term for this is macrosomia, which means “large body”.

Almost 60,000 babies born across England during 2017-18 weighed 4kg or more, 11 per cent of the total.

Looking at nearby trusts, St Helens has one of the highest rates of children born with macrosomia, with 11 per cent.

Warrington and Halton Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust delivered 2,710 babies in 2017-18, with 230 (8 per cent) weighing in at 4kg or more.

Elsewhere, 2,370 babies were delivered by Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation Trust. Like St Helens, 11 per cent of these (255) weighed at least 4kg.

In Merseyside, Liverpool Women’s NHS Foundation Trust delivered 8,210 babies, with 910 (9 per cent) weighing in at 4kg or more.

UK-wide, the largest number of large babies were delivered by Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, with 1,180 of 13,385 babies meeting the classification.

The highest proportion of big babies in the UK were born at the Harrogate and District NHS Foundation Trust in North Yorkshire, where 16 per cent of babies weighed at least 4kg.

A Public Health spokesman for St Helens Council said there are a number of factors that can impact on a baby’s birth weight.

One of the biggest ways pregnant women can reduce the risk of higher birth weights, the spokesman said, is to maintain a healthy weight themselves.

“Those who carry excess weight may be more susceptible to conditions like gestational diabetes, which can lead of higher birth weight babies,” the Public Health spokesman said.

“We would encourage anyone thinking about having a baby to keep themselves well and maintain a healthy weight.

“Anyone already pregnant should eat a healthy balanced diet, avoid alcohol and if they smoke consider seeking support to quit.

“Anyone who is pregnant and has concerns about their weight or any other aspects of their health should speak to their midwife.”