Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight in Indigenous Populations: a systematic review of the world literature

Carla Tatiana Garcia Barreto,Andrey Moreira Cardoso,Felipe Guimarães Tavares,Mariza Theme-Filha

doi:10.1590/1806-93042019000100002

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: we aimed to identify etiological factors for low birth weight (LBW), prematurity and intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) in the Indigenous Population. Methods: for this systematic review, publications were searched in Medline/PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Lilacs until April 2018. The description in this review was based on the PRISMA guideline (Study protocol CRD42016051145, registered in the Centre for Reviews and Dissemination at University of York). We included original studies that reported any risk factor for one of the outcomes in the Indigenous Population. Two of the authors searched independently for papers and the disagreements were solved by a third reviewer Results: twenty-four studies were identified, most of them were from the USA, Canada and Australia. The factors associated were similar to the ones observed in the non-indigenous including unfavorable obstetric conditions, maternal malnutrition, smoking, and maternal age at the extremes of childbearing age, besides environmental factors, geographic location, and access to health care in indigenous communities. Conclusions: etiologic factors for LBW in Indigenous Population have been receiving little attention, especially in Latin America. The three outcomes showed common causes related to poverty and limited access to healthcare. New studies should ensure explicit criteria for ethnicity, quality on the information about gestational age, and the investigation on contextual and culture-specific variables.

Highlights

intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) has been reported as the main component of Low birth weight (LBW) in indigenous population,48 unlike the observations made in the general population
Some studies found in this review describe an inverse association between maternal age and LBW, which is commonly reported in non-indigenous populations
Low birth weight has received little attention in indigenous population when compared to the nonindigenous population, and Latin America is considered the poorest and most populous regions and, is underrepresented

Summary

Introduction

Low birth weight (LBW) is defined as a weight less than 2500g at birth and is an important predictor of unfavorable outcomes in the child’s health such as acute respiratory infections and diarrhea, delay in the growth and development, and child mortality, besides being associated to cardiovascular diseases in adulthood. LBW is frequently reported as a prevalent in low life standard populations.4LBW may result from intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), prematurity, or both. Some studies only analyze factors associated to LBW, while others investigate specific factors for the incidence of IUGR7 or prematurity. IUGR has been associated to socioeconomic factors such as low family income, maternal age and marital status, maternal malnutrition (low BMI and height), smoking, and low-quality prenatal care. prematurity has been more frequently associated to obstetric conditions like placental abruption and infections, and to socioeconomic conditions, teenage pregnancy, low maternal schooling and inadequate prenatal care. In low and middle income countries, such as Brazil, IUGR and preterm childbirth share several common determinants and its, prevalence tend to be high.. LBW is frequently reported as a prevalent in low life standard populations.. LBW may result from intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), prematurity, or both.. Some studies only analyze factors associated to LBW, while others investigate specific factors for the incidence of IUGR7 or prematurity.. IUGR has been associated to socioeconomic factors such as low family income, maternal age and marital status, maternal malnutrition (low BMI and height), smoking, and low-quality prenatal care.. Prematurity has been more frequently associated to obstetric conditions like placental abruption and infections, and to socioeconomic conditions, teenage pregnancy, low maternal schooling and inadequate prenatal care.. In low and middle income countries, such as Brazil, IUGR and preterm childbirth share several common determinants and its, prevalence tend to be high.

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