Abstract
Trends in birthweight and abnormal fetal growth, namely term low birthweight (LBW), macrosomia, small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA), are important indicators of changes in the health of populations. We performed this epidemiological study to evaluate these trends among 2,039,415 singleton live births from Israel over a period of 15 years. Birth certificate data was obtained from the Ministry of Health. Multivariable linear and logistic regression models were used to evaluate crude and adjusted estimates compared to the baseline of 2000 and polynomial trends. During the study period we observed a significant decrease in the rates of infants born SGA and LGA (10.7% to 9.2%, 10.2% to 9.6% respectively). After adjustment, based on the imputed data set, term mean birthweight increased by 6.0 grams (95% CI: 2.9, 9.1), and term LBW odds decreased by 19% in 2014 compared to 2000 (adj ORs: 0.81; 95% CI: 0.77, 0.85). Significant decreases were also observed for adjusted SGA, LGA and macrosomia rates. The decrease in abnormal fetal growth rates were not entirely explained by changes in sociodemographic characteristics or gestational age and may imply real improvement in child intrauterine growth in Israel during the last 15 years, especially in the Jewish population.
Highlights
Israel is a unique country with the highest fertility rate among the OECD countries
There were 2,039,415 singleton live births born at 22–42 weeks gestation without congenital malformations, including normal and abnormal fetal growth (Fig. 1)
We observed a decrease in the crude rates of abnormal fetal growth, namely macrosomia, small-for-gestational age (SGA) and large-for-gestational age (LGA) births
Summary
Despite high levels of maternal education and access to modern contraception, the total rate of 3.1 births per woman in 2015 was more than 30% greater than for women in the next-ranked country in the OECD39. A previous Israeli hospital-based study of 32,611 births, compared rates during 2003–2004 and 1994–1996 to 1986–1987 rates and reported crude decrease in the rates of abnormal fetal growth on both sides of the birthweight distribution[40]. In this population based epidemiological study our objectives were: 1) to evaluate time trends of normal and abnormal fetal growth from both sides of the distribution, in 2,039,415 singleton live births from Israel over a www.nature.com/scientificreports/. Period of 15 years (from 2000 until 2014) and 2) to evaluate if these trends might be explained by changes in child and maternal sociodemographic characteristics
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.
