Anthropometry of Malawian live births between 35 and 41 weeks of gestation

The aim of this analysis was to construct cross-sectional gestational age specific percentile curves for birthweight, length, head and mid-arm circumference for Malawian babies, and to compare these percentiles with reference values for babies born to women with normal pregnancies, from a developed country. A cross-sectional study which enrolled pregnant women attending two study hospitals between March 1993 and July 1994 was undertaken. Data on maternal socio-economic status, newborn anthropometry, previous obstetric history and current pregnancy were collected. Smoothed percentile values were derived using the LMS method. Malawian reference percentiles were constructed for fetal growth from 35 weeks' gestation for singleton births. Mean birthweight, length and head circumference were lower at all gestational ages for Malawian compared with Swedish newborns. Fetal growth per completed gestational week was higher by 60 g in weight, 0.5 cm in length and 0.2 cm in head circumference in Swedish compared with Malawian babies. Growth restriction was present from 35 to 41 weeks' gestation. The pattern for the 10th percentile suggested that this was occurring from well before 35 weeks' gestation in a proportion of babies.     

Maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight in relation to birth outcome among Bengalee Hindus of Kolkata,India

Objective: The study examined to what degree maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight is useful and efficient in predicting birth outcome of Bengalee women.

Subjects and methods: The cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in a government general hospital in South Kolkata, India. This hospital serves the needs of people belonging to lower and lower middle class socio-economic groups. Data were collected by one-to-one interview for confirmation of age, history of last menstrual period (LMP) including medical disorders. Mother's weight was recorded at 14–18 weeks of pregnancy from the history of LMP. Birth weight was measured within 24?h of delivery and gestational age was assessed by Ballard's method using newborn physical and neurological maturity scoring. Of the 331 Bengalees, 295 mother–baby pairs met the recruitment criteria and were included in this study.

Result: Mean?±?SD maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight and birth weight were 45.9?±?7.0?kg and 2612?±?371?g, respectively. The difference in mean weight (3.74?kg) between mothers who delivered low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) babies was statistically significant (t?=?4.497, p?<?0.001). Overall, the prevalence of LBW was nearly 34%. A higher incidence of LBW and lower mean birth weight was observed in first quartile or low weight (≤40?kg) mothers. The rate of LBW decreased (χ²?=?14.47, p?<?0.01) and mean birth weight increased significantly with increasing maternal weight (F?=?9.218, p?<?0.001). Risk ratio (RR) for LBW, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and preterm birth in low weight (first quartile or <40.0?kg) mothers were 2.72 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45–5.10), 3.54 (95% CI: 1.17–10.74) and 1.97 (95% CI: 0.56–6.90), respectively, compared with heavier (>50.0?kg) mothers. Finally, the present data showed that the maternal weight of <46.0?kg is the best cut-off for detecting LBW with 66% sensitivity and 75% negative predictive power.

Conclusion: The findings suggest a positive association between maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight and birth outcome. The present study provided an efficient cut-off point for detecting LBW. Antenatal caregivers in health institutions and community health workers in the field can use this cut-off value for screening pregnant women at early second trimester.     

Gestational age--the most important factor of neonatal ponderal index

Ponderal index (fetal weight in grams X 100 / (fetal length in centimeters)3) (PI) is one of the anthropometric methods used to diagnose impaired fetal growth. Irrespective of the infant's position on the growth-weight-for-gestational age charts, PI is low in malnourished infants and high in obese ones. As fetal growth is affected by ethnicity, geographic location and socioeconomic status, we developed standards for neonatal PI, and assessed the effects of gestational age, sex and maternal parity. Data on 5798 newborns from singleton pregnancies born in the Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Split University Hospital, were retrospectively analyzed. Over a 15-month period in 2000/2001, 5596 newborns from 24 to 42 weeks of gestation were born. The other 202 newborns, born from 24 to 34 weeks of gestation in the ten year period, 1990-1999, were added because of the small number of preterm infants; ensuring a minimum of 30 to fill up at least infants in each gestational week. All mothers were of Caucasian origin. Stillbirths and fetuses with congenital malformations were excluded. The 10th, 50th and 90th percentiles, mean values with standard deviation of PI and the 10th, 50th, and 90th percentiles of birth weight and birth length are presented separately at weekly intervals. PI showed linear correlation with gestational age from 24 to 39 weeks, after witch the data plateaued. Sex and parity had no impact on PI in infants born between 24 and 37 weeks. Analysis of variance revealed PI to be significantly higher in female than in male newborns, and in multiparous than in nulliparous infants after 37 weeks of gestation. In conclusion, gestational age is the most important factor of neonatal PI. The effects of sex and parity on PI should only be considered in term neonates.     

Impaired glucose tolerance and pregnancy outcome in Chinese women with high body mass index

To determine if impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) impacts on the outcome of singleton pregnancies in Chinese women with a high (>26 kg/m(2)) body mass index (BMI), a retrospective case-control study was performed on 128 women with IGT and 128 controls with normal oral glucose tolerance test results, who were matched for pre-pregnancy BMI (within 0.1 kg/m(2)) and delivered within the same 3 year period. The IGT group was older, with more multiparae, a higher incidence of previous gestational diabetes mellitus, higher booking haemoglobin and fasting glucose concentrations, but no difference in the pre-pregnancy weight, gestational weight gain, or weight or BMI at delivery. There was no difference in the obstetric complications, mode of delivery, or the gestational age or mean infant birthweight. However, the birthweight ratio (relative to mean birthweight for gestation), incidence of large-for-gestational-age (birthweight >90th percentile) and macrosomic (birthweight > or =4000 g) infants, and treatment for neonatal jaundice, were significantly higher in the IGT group. The results suggest that some of the complications attributed to gestational diabetes mellitus are probably related to maternal weight excess/obesity in the affected subjects, but IGT could still affect infant birthweight outcome despite diet treatment which has normalized gestational weight gain.     

Factors affecting birthweight of rural Australian Aborigines

Aim : To examine factors affecting birthweight of Aboriginal infants in the Kimberley region of north-west Australia. Research design : A retrospective study of maternal and infant health records obtained through routine data collection. Subjects and methods : Birthweight and length of 2959 infants born to 1822 women from 1986 to 1994 were analysed. Mothers and infants were matched using unique identification codes. Index births and subsequent births to the same mother were collated in order to examine relative birth order effects and to calculate birth intervals. Results : Regression analysis showed significant associations between weight of the index birth and maternal age ( p < 0.001), remoteness of locality ( p < 0.01), sex of the infant ( p < 0.001) and maternal height ( p < 0.001). Length at birth was significantly associated with ethnicity of infant (Aboriginal vs Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal admixture, p < 0.05), sex ( p < 0.001), remoteness ( p < 0.01) and maternal height ( p < 0.001). Similar associations were observed for second and subsequent births. Birth interval was not associated with birthweight or length. Low birthweight was also more common to Aboriginal mothers compared with mothers of Aboriginal/non-Aboriginal admixture (13.1% vs 9.2%; &#104 2 = 5.1, p < 0.025) even though there were no differences in height between these two groups. Teenage mothers ( &#114 19 years) were no more likely to have low birthweight babies than older mothers. Of the variables examined, the only significant predictor of low birthweight was a previous low birthweight baby (relative risk = 4.45, p < 0.001). Conclusions : Short birth intervals and teenage births were not significant contributors to low birthweight in the present study. The high prevalence and duration of breastfeeding in the Kimberley may contribute to long average birth intervals. Pre-term birth, rather than intrauterine growth retardation, is likely to be the most common cause of low birthweight in this population.     

Electrophysiological studies in newborns with reference to gestation and anthropometry

Fourteen full term appropriate for gestational age (FT-AGA) and 11 preterm appropriate for gestational age (PT-AGA) newborns and their mothers constituted study subjects. The mothers were subjected to hemoglobin and serum albumin estimations. Offsprings were subjected to measurements of weight, crown heel length and head circumference along with motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) and H-reflex latency (H-RL) at right median nerve. The MNCV was found to be significantly lower and H-RL significantly higher in PT-AGA babies compared to FT-AGA babies. The gestation, crown heel length of baby and maternal serum albumin status were found to be significant independent variables. Multiple regression equations have been derived using these parameters as determinative variables. These equations explained much higher per cent variation than explained by simple regression equations.     

Maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight in relation to birth outcome among Bengalee Hindus of Kolkata, India

OBJECTIVE: The study examined to what degree maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight is useful and efficient in predicting birth outcome of Bengalee women. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The cross-sectional retrospective study was conducted in a government general hospital in South Kolkata, India. This hospital serves the needs of people belonging to lower and lower middle class socio-economic groups. Data were collected by one-to-one interview for confirmation of age, history of last menstrual period (LMP) including medical disorders. Mother's weight was recorded at 14-18 weeks of pregnancy from the history of LMP. Birth weight was measured within 24h of delivery and gestational age was assessed by Ballard's method using newborn physical and neurological maturity scoring. Of the 331 Bengalees, 295 mother-baby pairs met the recruitment criteria and were included in this study. RESULT: Mean +/- SD maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight and birth weight were 45.9+/-7.0kg and 2612+/-371g, respectively. The difference in mean weight (3.74kg) between mothers who delivered low birth weight (LBW) and normal birth weight (NBW) babies was statistically significant (t = 4.497, p < 0.001). Overall, the prevalence of LBW was nearly 34%. A higher incidence of LBW and lower mean birth weight was observed in first quartile or low weight (< or =40 kg) mothers. The rate of LBW decreased (chi2 =14.47, p<0.01) and mean birth weight increased significantly with increasing maternal weight (F=9.218, p<0.001). Risk ratio (RR) for LBW, intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) and preterm birth in low weight (first quartile or <40.0 kg) mothers were 2.72 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.45-5.10), 3.54 (95% CI: 1.17-10.74) and 1.97 (95% CI: 0.56-6.90), respectively, compared with heavier (>50.0kg) mothers. Finally, the present data showed that the maternal weight of <46.0 kg is the best cut-off for detecting LBW with 66% sensitivity and 75% negative predictive power. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest a positive association between maternal early second trimester pregnancy weight and birth outcome. The present study provided an efficient cut-off point for detecting LBW. Antenatal caregivers in health institutions and community health workers in the field can use this cut-off value for screening pregnant women at early second trimester.     

Physical and behavioral sequelae of low birthweight in spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus)

Physical and behavioral sequelae of low birthweight (LBW) were investigated in spiny mice (Acomys cahirinus). When raised by their biological mother, pups whose Day-2 weights were 1 SD or more below the population mean remained smaller through the first 30 days postpartum than pups born within normal (N) weight ranges. LBW pups fostered onto mothers who gave birth to N pups gained weight more rapidly than LBW pups remaining with their own mother. Similarly, N pups fostered onto mothers of LBW pups displayed reduced weight gain relative to N siblings raised by their biological mother. It appears that rate of weight gain is influenced by an interaction between birthweight and maternal rearing environment. LBW pups also were less responsive than N pups to maternal chemical cues, indicating that low birthweight is correlated with deficits in adaptive behavior.     

Low birth weight,very low birth weight rates and gestational age-specific birth weight distribution of korean newborn infants

To obtain the low birth weight (LBW) rate, the very low birth weight (VLBW) rate, and gestational age (GA)-specific birth weight distribution based on a large population in Korea, we collected and analyzed the birth data of 108,486 live births with GA greater than 23 weeks for 1 yr from 1 January to 31 December 2001, from 75 hospitals and clinics located in Korea. These data included birth weight, GA, gender of the infants, delivery type, maternal age, and the presence of multiple pregnancy. The mean birth weight and GA of a crude population are 3,188 +/-518 g and 38.7+/-2.1 weeks, respectively. The LBW and the VLBW rates are 7.2% and 1.4%, respectively. The preterm birth rate (less than 37 completed weeks of gestation) is 8.4% and the very preterm birth rate (less than 32 completed weeks of gestation) is 0.7%. The mean birth weights for female infants, multiple births, and births delivered by cesarean section were lower than those for male, singletons, and births delivered vaginally. The risk of delivering LBW or VLBW infant was higher for the teenagers and the older women (aged 35 yr and more). We have also obtained the percentile distribution of GA-specific birth weight in infants over 23 weeks of gestation.     

Number of teeth at the age of one year in relation to maternal smoking

The mean number of deciduous teeth at the age of 1 year was investigated in the 10 499 children comprising a birth cohort from 1966 in Northern Finland. The 1563 children whose mothers smoked during pregnancy had on average 0.3 tooth more than the children of the control mothers. Highly significant explanatory variables in a regression analysis on the number of teeth at the age of one were weight at one year, maternal smoking, height at one year and birthweight, whereas gestational age and place of residence on a north-south axis were significant. Differences in cumulative percentages of eruption of the first tooth between the children of smokers and their controls were seen from the age of 4 months, with a maximal difference at 5 months: 30.0% versus 25.6%. The discrepancy was less that 1% by the age of 12 months.     

母亲孕期的体重增长与巨大儿关系的初步研究

目的;探讨巨大儿的发生与母亲孕期体重增长的关系。方法：对１２８例巨大儿的母亲的孕期体重增长进行回顾性分析,同期１３０例正常出生体重婴儿母亲的孕期体重增长作为对照研究。根据孕前体质指数（ＢＭＩ）将所有研究对象分为四种类型人群即低体重型、正常体重型、超重、胎胖型。结果：巨大儿母亲的孕期理增长比对照组重约２．５ｋｇ。巨大儿组中超重型及胎胖妇女所占的比例对照组为高（１５．６％比２．３％）,但孕期体重增长对     

Anthropometric characteristics of newborns with Prader–Willi syndrome

This is a retrospective multicenter nationwide Italian study collecting neonatal anthropometric data of Caucasian subjects with Prader–Willi syndrome (PWS) born from 1988 to 2018. The aim of the study is to provide percentile charts for weight and length of singletons with PWS born between 36 and 42 gestational weeks. We collected the birth weight and birth length of 252 male and 244 female singleton live born infants with both parents of Italian origin and PWS genetically confirmed. Percentile smoothed curves of birth weight and length for gestational age were built through Cole's lambda, mu, sigma method. The data were compared to normal Italian standards. Newborns with PWS showed a lower mean birth weight, by 1/2 kg, and a shorter mean birth length, by 1 cm, than healthy neonates. Females with a 15q11‐13 deletion were shorter than those with maternal uniparental maternal disomy of chromosome 15 (p < .0001). The present growth curves may be useful as further traits in supporting a suspicion of PWS in a newborn. Because impaired prenatal growth increases risk of health problems later in life, having neonatal anthropometric standards could be helpful to evaluate possible correlations between the presence or absence of small gestational age and some clinical and metabolic aspects of PWS.     

Quantitative estimation of serum proteins in newborn and their mothers

The present study investigates the effects of factors such as birthweight, gestation and infants' sex on serum protein levels of newborn and their mothers. The mean concentration of serum proteins in newborn and their mothers was found to be similar. The levels of albumin were high with a corresponding decrease in the levels of globulins in infants which may be related to placental transfer of these molecules. A study of the relationship between birthweight and levels of maternal serum protein fractions revealed a positive correlation of the maternal albumin and a negative correlation of the maternal gamma component with the birthweight of infants. Premature infants showed higher levels of serum proteins than full-term infants, which may be due to an increased rate of degradation in the latter group. A decrease in the levels of serum proteins was observed in male infants and their mothers.     

Birthweight and gestational age by ethnic group, England and Wales 2005: introducing new data on births

Low birthweight babies and babies born preterm are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality in the first year of life, as well as in the longer-term. Since information on ethnic group is not recorded at birth registration in England and Wales, it has not been possible to produce routine statistics on birthweight or gestational age by ethnic group. A new system, introduced in 2002, for allocating NHS numbers at birth (NN4B) provided the opportunity to obtain ethnic group information. The NN4B record includes information on the ethnic group of the baby classified according to the 2001 Census categories. This paper presents the first analyses of ethnic differences in birthweight and gestational age at birth for England and Wales as a whole. Utilising NN4B records linked with birth registration records for all births occurring in England and Wales in 2005, birthweight and gestational age distributions, including the percentages low birthweight and preterm, are compared between ethnic groups. The paper also examines how parental socio-demographic circumstances vary by ethnic group.     

Omphalocele, advanced maternal age, and fetal morbidity outcomes

In this study we wanted to determine if the risk for adverse neonatal outcome among omphalocele-affected fetuses is increased among older gravidas. This was a retrospective cohort study on live-born infants with omphalocele delivered in New York State from 1983 through 1999. We compared infants of older (>or=35 years) with those of younger (<35 years) mothers with respect to the following fetal morbidity indices: low birth weight and very low birth weight, preterm and very preterm, and small for gestational age. We used adjusted odds ratios to approximate relative risks. Data on a total of 1,010 infants with omphalocele were analyzed. Mean gestational age and birth weight were similar in both maternal age categories: mean+/-standard deviation (SD) for infants with omphalocele born to older mothers=37.4 weeks+/-3.9 versus 38.0 weeks+/-5.1 for those of younger mothers (P=0.2); mean birth weights+/-SD for infants with omphalocele born to older mothers=2,813+/-871.1 versus 2,958+/-809.9 for those of younger mothers (P=0.08). Also, the two maternal age sub-groups did not differ with respect to the fetal morbidity outcome: low birth weight (OR=0.95; 95% CI=0.60-1.51), very low birth weight (OR=0.78; 95% CI=0.36-1.69), preterm (OR=0.95; 95% CI=0.58-1.57), very preterm (OR=0.73; 95% CI=0.34-1.58), and SGA (OR=1.00; 95% CI=0.44-2.27). Thus, advanced maternal age does not appear to be a risk factor for fetal morbidity outcomes among omphalocele-affected fetuses. This information is potentially useful in counseling affected parents.     

Associations of long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid concentrations with birth outcome in term Indian mothers and their neonates

The purpose of this study was to examine the maternal and cord long‐chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) concentrations and their associations with birth outcome in term deliveries. Pregnant women (n = 253) delivering at term were divided into two groups based on their babies' birth weights (1) normal birth weight (NBW), that is, ≥2.5 kg (n = 190) and (2) low‐birth weight (LBW), that is, <2.5 kg (n = 63). Each group is further divided into two groups according to the baby's sex, that is, male NBW (M‐NBW), female NBW (F‐NBW), male LBW (M‐LBW), and female LBW (F‐LBW) groups. Maternal plasma docosahexaenoic acid and erythrocyte arachidonic acid (AA) levels were lower (P < 0.05 for both), while cord plasma docosahexaenoic acid and erythrocyte AA levels were higher (P < 0.05 for both) in LBW group when compared to the NBW group. Maternal erythrocyte AA levels were positively associated with birth weight (P = 0.001), while cord plasma docosahexaenoic acid levels were negatively (P = 0.05) associated with birth weight. Reduced maternal and increased cord LCPUFA levels exist in mothers delivering LBW babies, especially in mothers delivering female babies, indicative of sex‐specific effects. Am. J. Hum. Biol., 2011. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Atypical antipsychotic use in pregnancy: a retrospective review

To determine the prevalence of use of atypical antipsychotics in pregnancy and describe infant outcomes associated with these exposures. A retrospective chart review of all pregnant women presenting at our medical center, from the years 1993 to 2007, was conducted. 30,092 total deliveries during that time period were identified. 16 mothers were treated with atypical antipsychotics during their pregnancy. The medical charts of the infants exposed to atypical antipsychotics during pregnancy were reviewed to determine their outcomes, including gestational age, birth weight, and malformations. Only 16 (0.053%) of the women took an atypical antipsychotic at some point during the antenatal period. Average gestational age was 37 5/7 weeks with a standard deviation of 2.54 days. Average birth weight was 3,188 g with a standard deviation of 615 g, which is appropriate for early gestational age. One (6.25%) major malformation was noted. Additional studies need to be completed regarding the effect of atypical antipsychotic use in pregnancy and outcomes related to gestational age, birth weight and malformations.     

妊娠期糖尿病患者的护理干预

目的总结妊娠期糖尿病孕妇的护理经验。方法分析我院2001年1月1日～2002年12月30日住院分娩4794例,确诊为妊娠期糖尿病共130例,分二组,2001年59例为护理未干预组,2002年71例为护理干预组。结果护理干预组围产儿并发症明显降低。结论血糖监测和护理干预是减少母婴并发症的重要环节。护理干预效果的好坏,直接关系到妊娠期糖尿病患者血糖的控制。     

Use of serial ultrasound to identify periods of fetal growth restriction in relation to neonatal anthropometry.

The developmental origins of the health and disease hypothesis suggests that fetal growth restriction (FGR) is a risk factor for several chronic diseases of adulthood. However, most supporting studies use birth weight as a proxy measure of FGR. To examine the relationship between birth weight and FGR, the present study used serial prenatal ultrasound to identify periods of FGR during gestation, and related these periods to birth size and shape. The data in this study included serial prenatal ultrasounds performed on 1,349 high-risk Scandinavian women enrolled in the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Study of Successive Small for Gestational Age Births. Fetal growth velocity between ultrasounds was used to identify periods of isolated FGR, and these were studied in relation to anthropometry at birth. FGR was identified in 184 subjects. A control group of 384 subjects without FGR was also identified. Infants with first-trimester FGR (n = 20) had the highest birth weight, ponderal index, and subscapular skinfold thickness. Infants with second-trimester FGR (n = 37) had the highest arm fat percentage. Infants with early third-trimester FGR (n = 55) had the lowest mean birth weight and ponderal index. When infant gender, gestational age, maternal body mass index, and smoking were controlled, birth weight was predicted only by third-trimester FGR (not first- or second-trimester FGR), and arm fat percent was predicted only by second-trimester FGR. These results suggest that birth weight is not a valid indicator of FGR occurring before the third trimester. Body composition may be a more sensitive marker of early FGR.     

Magnesium in drinking water and the risk of delivering a child of very low birth weight.

A few previous studies have looked at the relationship between pregnancy outcome and magnesium nutritional intake and found that magnesium supplementation which could have beneficial effects on perinatal outcome. We performed a study to examine the relationship between the levels of magnesium in drinking water and the risk of delivering a child of very low birth weight (birthweight less than 1500 g; VLBW). The study population comprised 1,781 women residing in 252 municipalities who had a first parity singleton birth between January 1, 1993 and December 31, 1997, and for whom complete information on maternal age, education, gestational age, birth weight, and sex of the baby were available. Data on magnesium levels were obtained from the Taiwan Water Supply Corporation (TWSC). The results of our study show that there is a significant trend toward a decreased risk of having a child of VLBW with increasing magnesium levels in drinking water. Only the specific reversibility of the symptoms through nutritional magnesium in drinking water supplementation might demonstrate the existence of a pathogenic link.