Abstract
The differences in the rates and trends of the overall low birth weight and term low birth weight in recent years are unknown for the Japanese prefectures. In this ecological study, we revealed the rates for each prefecture and investigated the factors affecting the regional differences in these outcomes. Aggregated vital statistics data from 2007 to 2019 were obtained from the Ministry of Health, Labour, and Welfare in Japan. The association between the outcomes and the variables, including the infants’ birth characteristics, medical characteristics, and socioeconomic characteristics of the prefectures, were analyzed. An analysis of repeated-measures data was conducted using the data from 2013 and 2018 for each prefecture. The trend for the rates of overall low birth weight and term low birth weight over the years differed among the prefectures. Moreover, the proportions of multiple births and lean (body mass index <18.5 kg/m2) and obese (body mass index ≥25.0 kg/m2) women had a statistically significant positive association with both the overall low birth weight rate and the term low birth weight rate among the prefectures. It was suggested that to resolve the difference in these outcomes among the prefectures, being obese or underweight needs to be addressed in mothers.
Highlights
The rates of low birth weight are representative of perinatal health outcomes worldwide and are one of the indicators of maternal and child health
Some studies have investigated an association between maternal characteristics and birth weight trends in Japan [7,8,9], few studies have investigated an association between the outcome and multiple types of factors, such as sociodemographic or physical characteristics, using nationwide statistics data in Japan
We aimed to reveal the low birth weight rates in different prefectures in Japan and identify the factors that determine the differences in these rates
Summary
The rates of low birth weight are representative of perinatal health outcomes worldwide and are one of the indicators of maternal and child health. Low birth weight infants have a higher risk of neonatal and infant mortality or cardiovascular diseases [1,2,3,4]; preventing these conditions is an important issue for public health and social security in Japan. There is a disparity in the outcome among countries, and the low birth rate in. The low birth rate showed an increase from the late 1970s to the 2010s [7], and changes in body mass index (BMI), maternal aging, and an increase in cesarean sections are believed to be contributing factors. Some studies have investigated an association between maternal characteristics and birth weight trends in Japan [7,8,9], few studies have investigated an association between the outcome and multiple types of factors, such as sociodemographic or physical characteristics, using nationwide statistics data in Japan
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