Abstract
BackgroundSuboptimal weight gain during pregnancy may result in adverse outcomes for both the mother and child, including increased risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, delivery of low birth weight and small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants, and preterm delivery. The objectives of this study were to identify maternal predictors of rate of weight gain in pregnancy, and to evaluate the association of gestational weight gain with infant postnatal growth outcomes.MethodsWe conducted a prospective cohort study of infants born to women who had previously participated in a double-blind cluster randomized controlled trial of antenatal micronutrient supplementation, in Ha Nam province, Vietnam. Pregnant women (n = 1258) were seen at enrolment and 32 weeks gestation, and infants (n = 965) were followed until 6 months of age. Primary outcome was infant anthropometric indicators at 6 months of age (weight for age, length for age, weight for height z scores), and infant weight gain velocity during the first 6 months of life.ResultsLow body mass index (<18.5 kg/m2) was present in 26% of women, and rate of gestational weight gain was 0.4 kg per week [SD 0.12]. Rate of weight gain during pregnancy was significantly associated with infant weight-for-age (MD 1.13, 95% CI 0.58 to 1.68), length-for-age (MD 1.11, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.55), weight-for-length z scores (MD 0.63, 95% CI 0.07 to 1.19), and infant weight gain velocity during the first 6 months of life (MD 93.6 g per month, 95% CI 8.2 to 179.0).ConclusionsRate of gestational weight gain is predictive of postnatal growth at six months of age in this setting. Public health programs should be targeted towards improving body mass index and weight gain in pregnant women in rural Vietnam.
Highlights
Suboptimal weight gain during pregnancy may result in adverse outcomes for both the mother and child, including increased risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, delivery of low birth weight and small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants, and preterm delivery
For every 1 kg/week increase in weight gain during pregnancy, infant weight gain velocity increased by 93.6 grams per month during the first 6 months of life
Liu et al found that women who were overweight/obese and had high weight gain, as well as those who were underweight and had a low weight gain, had a significantly higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes including large or small for gestational age, low birth weight and pre-eclampsia in a large cohort of singleton term pregnancies (n = 292, 568) [31]. Our findings extend those of Heerman et al who demonstrated that the combined effect of pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal gestational weight gain was significantly associated with infant growth trajectory
Summary
Suboptimal weight gain during pregnancy may result in adverse outcomes for both the mother and child, including increased risk of pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, delivery of low birth weight and small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants, and preterm delivery. Women who enter pregnancy with a sub-optimal body mass index (BMI) and gain either too little or too much weight have an increased risk of delivery of low birth weight and small-for-gestational age (SGA) infants, intrauterine growth restriction, neonatal mortality, preterm delivery, still birth and congenital defects [1,2,3,4,5,6]. Determining predictors of gestational weight gain, and its influence on early infant postnatal growth, would provide an opportunity to better understand the nutritional programming of body composition in resource poor settings. This may enable appropriate targeting of preventive measures in early or pre-pregnancy, to improve child growth and development and reduce disease risk in later life
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
