The inclusion of neurobiomarkers (NB) into routine clinical practice remains an unresolved challenge. Among the actions recommended by leading international institutions, a key priority is the establishment of reference curves during the perinatal period. The aim of the study was to define urinary reference ranges during the perinatal period for S100B, a well-established biomarker of central nervous system (CNS) development and injury. Between May 2015 and January 2020, we conducted a prospective observational study in 2,168 healthy preterm and term newborns. Standard clinical and laboratory parameters were recorded at birth, and urine samples were collected within the first 24 h for S100B measurement. Correlations between S100B levels and perinatal variables (gestational age, birthweight, mode of delivery, sex, and blood gas parameters) were evaluated using multiple regression analysis. S100B concentrations were significantly higher (p<0.05, for all) in preterm than in term infants, even after adjustment for sex and mode of delivery. Multiple regression analysis revealed that S100B levels were gestational age (GA), sex, and mode of delivery dependent (p<0.05 forall). These findings provide a reference curve for urinary S100B during the perinatal period, supporting its potential as a non-invasive tool for fetal CNS monitoring and facilitating its future integration into routine clinical practice.

Maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality have declined dramatically during the last century. Historical data are therefore important sources to study the evolutionary selection pressures related to childbirth and how they have fluctuated over time. We analyzed birth records detailing 17,473 births of the years 1896 to 1944 from the maternal hospital Basel, Switzerland. This enabled the evaluation of changes in anthropometric data across several generations during times of varying socioeconomic stress. Our results revealed very weak correlations (r< 0.2) of maternal measurements such as stature and pelvic size with the size of the newborn (birth weight, head circumference). Maternal pelvic size was weakly correlated with stature (r = 0.33). While mean maternal stature showed a clear secular trend, increasing steadily by 5%, that is, from 153 cm for mothers born 1850 to 161 cm for mothers born 1923, birth weight fluctuated slightly during economically demanding periods, with an overall increase of only 3.8% from 3160 g in 1896 to 3280 g in 1944. In contrast, virtually no changes were found in pelvic size and newborn head circumference, implying the existence of strong stabilizing selection pressures on maternal pelvic dimensions and neonatal head circumference. We conclude that the resulting constant cephalopelvic proportion guarantees obstetric sufficiency as predicted by the obstetrical dilemma.

Relationship between micro- and nanosized plastics in cord blood and birth weight and gestational age of newborns.

Preeclampsia (PE), a significant challenge for health systems, is a hypertensive disorder of pregnancy. Some studies have suggested that long non-coding ribonucleic acids play a major role in the pathogenesis of PE by regulating the biological behaviors of maternal vascular smooth muscle cells and trophoblasts. In this study, the impact of the maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) rs4081134 gene polymorphism on susceptibility to PE has been evaluated. We conducted a case-control study comprising 130 PE patients and 140 normotensive pregnant women with normal gestational outcomes. Genotype analysis was performed using the polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism method. A significant association was evident between the AA genotype and PE risk under the recessive model, indicating that these may serve as protective factors against the development of PE. No significant relationships were detected between other genotypes, genetic models, or allelic distributions and PE risk. Additionally, among pregnant women with PE, a notable correlation was observed between newborn birth weight and the rs4081134 polymorphism in the MEG3 gene. We found a significant association between the AA genotype, as well as the recessive model of the MEG3 rs4081134 gene polymorphism, and PE deployment. Among women diagnosed with PE, MEG3 rs4081134 gene polymorphism was significantly associated with newborn's birth weight.

Newborn Screening for Familial Hypercholesterolemia Using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry-Based Free Cholesterol Measurements.

Pregnancy can be a positive yet stressful experience due to various changes. Perceived risks from natural disasters like earthquakes may negatively affect pregnant women's mental health, disrupting sleep and heightening fear and anxiety during labor. Poor sleep quality can lead to complications, gestational diabetes, preterm labor, and low birth weight in newborns. This study examined the relationship between earthquake risk perception and sleep problems in pregnant women. This descriptive-correlational study was conducted from October to December 2023 with 303 pregnant women in two hospitals in Turkey's Central Black Sea Region. Data were collected using a "Personal Information Form," "Earthquake Risk Perception Scale," and "Scale for Identifying Sleep Problems During Pregnancy. Analyses were performed with IBM SPSS 20.0. As the data were not normally distributed, non-parametric tests were used: Mann-Whitney U for two-group comparisons, Kruskal-Wallis for multiple groups, and Spearman correlation to examine relationships between variables. p < 0.05 was considered statistically significant. In the study, 42% of pregnant women were in their first pregnancy, 97.7% had not experienced a major disaster. A significant relationship was found between earthquake risk perception and problems (p = 0.000; r = 0.246). A significant relationship exists between earthquake risk perception and sleep problems in pregnant women. Health professionals should enhance awareness and provide support to promote positive risk perception among them.

A low birth weight (LBW) newborn is one who weighs less than 2,500 grams at birth. Birth weight is described as the main determinant of survival chances in newborns. Low birth weight is associated with infant mortality and postpartum health complications. The aim of our study was to evaluate the factors contributing to low birth weight in newborns in the Markala Health District. Patients and Methods: We conducted a descriptive, quantitative cross-sectional study in the Markala Health District. This study included newborns weighing less than 2,500 g at birth who were born and/or cared for in a health facility in the Markala District during the data collection period. Newborns weighing less than 2,500 g at birth and coming from another health district were not included. Sampling was non-probabilistic and exhaustive: all low birth weight newborns treated in health facilities in the Markala district during the collection period were included, as far as possible. The main data collection tool in this study was a structured questionnaire, developed on the basis of the specific objectives of the research. Data were collected over a three-month period after birth, from May to August 2025. Results: The study identified several factors associated with low birth weight, including twin births (25.4%), young maternal age (22.8% among 15–19-year-olds) and medical conditions such as high blood pressure (17.5%) and malaria (10.5%). The average weight of low birth weight newborns was 1964.58 grams, with a mode of 2000. The standard deviation was 402.972. The sex ratio favoured females, at 51.8%. Mothers aged 30 to 34 were the most represented, at 25.4%, followed by the two extreme age groups, 15-19 and 35-39, at 22.8% each. Conclusion: This study identified factors associated with low birth weight, the main determinants being twin births, teenage mothers, high blood pressure, infections, malaria and low attendance at prenatal consultations.

Maternal fragmented sleep in late pregnancy is associated with higher birthweight.

Exclusive breastfeeding is the optimal source of infant nutrition. Mother-infant separation poses a critical barrier to establishing and sustaining lactation, increasing the risk of early breastfeeding cessation. While breast massage supports milk production, the role of partner involvement in this context remains underexplored as a strategy to improve both nutritional and psychosocial outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of a co-parenting intervention on exclusive breastfeeding rates and related maternal outcomes among postpartum mothers separated from newborns, in which fathers were taught and performed structured breast massage. A quasi-experimental study was carried out on 120 mother-infant separated dyads in a tertiary maternity hospital. Participants were assigned to an intervention group (n = 60) and a control group (n = 60) via consecutive sampling plus baseline characteristic matching (maternal age, mode of delivery, and newborn birth weight). The intervention group received father-performed integrated breast massage training and practice; the control group received routine care. The primary outcome was the exclusive breastfeeding rate, and the secondary outcomes included the scores of the Breastfeeding Self-Efficacy Scale (BSES), breastfeeding knowledge, and the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS). All indicators were assessed at baseline, 1 month, and 3 months after the intervention. At both follow-ups, the intervention group demonstrated significantly higher exclusive breastfeeding rates compared to the control group (1-month, 64.9% vs. 22.4%, 3-months, 64.3% vs. 16.7%, both p < 0.05). The intervention group also showed significantly greater improvements in breastfeeding self-efficacy and knowledge scores, and a more significant reduction in EPDS scores over time (all p < 0.05). In contrast, the control group exhibited no significant changes in these secondary outcomes across the three time points. No significant inter-group difference was detected in perceived social support. Integrating fathers into a structured breast massage protocol is an effective, sustainable nutritional support strategy. Structured breast massage significantly enhances exclusive breastfeeding rates, maternal confidence, and mental well-being among separated mothers. These findings advocate for the inclusion of partners in clinical lactation support programs to safeguard optimal infant nutrition and postpartum recovery.

Introduction: Birth weight and its related maternal factors have significantly affected health throughout an individual’s life, particularly in western Indonesia. This study aims to reveal the effect of maternal anemia on low birth weight among newborns in General Hospital.Methods: A formative study was conducted from October to December 2023 in Manokwari, West Papua Province, Indonesia. We used secondary data from the birth cohort register 2022, including maternal socio-demographic information, health-related factors, antenatal visit details, and neonatal birth outcomes.Results: Pregnant women who give birth have an average gestational age of 28.80 (±1.08). The average hemoglobin level among pregnant women is 10.25 (±2.12), and the average newborn birth weight is 2932.9 (±447.1). Maternal age, educational status, employment status, infant gender, gestational age, and comorbidities do not correlate with birth weight. In contrast, hemoglobin levels with birth weight have a significant relationship between maternal hemoglobin levels and newborn birth weight.Conclusion: The study revealed that mothers with low hemoglobin levels are significantly associated with low birth weight among newborns at Manokwari Regional Hospital, West Papua. Future studies should be adjusted to explain pregnant women's iron levels and nutrition intake.

Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy plays a crucial role in fetal growth and is a key determinant of newborn birth weight. Inadequate maternal nutrition increases the risk of low birth weight (LBW), which is strongly associated with increased neonatal morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to examine the relationship between maternal nutritional status during pregnancy and newborn birth weight. A facility-based analytical study with a case–control design was conducted at a Community Health Center. A total of 36 mother–newborn pairs were recruited using a 1:1 case–control ratio. Maternal nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric indicators recorded during pregnancy, and newborn birth weight was measured within 1 hour of delivery. Data were analyzed using the chi-square test with α = 0.05. The analysis revealed a statistically significant association between maternal nutritional status and newborn birth weight (p = 0.003). Mothers with adequate nutritional status were more likely to deliver infants with normal birth weight than those with poor nutritional status. Conversely, low birth weight was more frequently observed among infants born to mothers with inadequate nutritional status during pregnancy. Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy is significantly associated with newborn birth weight in this primary health care setting. Strengthening early nutritional screening and interventions for pregnant women is essential to reduce the risk of low birth weight and improve neonatal health outcomes.

This study aims to investigate the effects of different transfer strategies (blastocyst vs cleavage-stage embryo) on the cumulative live birth rate (CLBR) and perinatal outcomes. In this propensity score matching (PSM) study, we evaluated the clinical data of 683 oocyte retrieval cycles performed using in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) from June 2017 to December 2022. The primary outcome was CLBR. Secondary outcomes were clinical pregnancy, implantation, live birth, multiple pregnancy, abortion (<28 weeks), ectopic pregnancy, preterm birth (<37 weeks), stillbirth, pregnancy complications, gestational age, birth weight, sex ratio, and birth defects in newborns. After PSM, compared to the cleavage-stage embryo transfer group in fresh embryo transfer cycles, the number of embryos transferred was lower, implantation rate was higher, and multiple pregnancy rate was lower in the blastocyst transfer group. In frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycles, the number of embryos transferred was lower, and clinical pregnancy rate, implantation rate and live birth rate were higher in the blastocyst transfer group. The CLBR was higher, and the multiple pregnancy rate was lower in the blastocyst transfer group. There was no statistically significant difference in perinatal outcomes between the 2 groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that CLBR was positively affected by the number of frozen embryos, and blastocyst transfer increased the CLBR. We conclude that blastocyst transfer is beneficial for improving CLBR and reducing multiple pregnancy rate.

Factors such as maternal demographics, anthropometrics, health status, and lifestyle are known to have direct associations with newborn birth weight. However, there is an indication that umbilical cord size measured using ultrasonography could potentially be a predictor of birth weight. This study, therefore, aimed to investigate the relationship between umbilical cord measurements and birth weight in Ghana. A prospective, cross-sectional, quantitative approach was adopted for this study. A total of 107 patients were purposively sampled with an attrition rate of 9.3%, leading to 97 (90.7%) partaking in the study, aged between 17 and 41 years. The patients were recruited between 34 and 37 weeks of gestation during their routine antenatal care visit. Data was collected using a data sheet with some key parameters recorded, being: maternal age, gravida, parity, umbilical cord diameter (UCD), umbilical cord circumference (UCC) and umbilical cord area (UCA), which were manually entered into the IBM SPSS version 26. The mean age recorded was 29.59 ± 4.83 years. The mean UCD, UCC and UCA were 1.53 ± 0.19 cm, 5.57 ± 0.41 cm and 1.86 ± 0.47 cm2, respectively. The Cronbach's alpha coefficient (α) was used to assess intra-observer reliability, and it showed strong consistency and precision. The mean birth weight was 3.13 ± 0.27 kg. There were moderate positive correlations between UCD and birthweight (r = 0.53, p < 0.01), UCC and birthweight (r = 0.331, p < 0.001) and UCA and birthweight (r = 0.52, p < 0.001). There were positive correlations between maternal demographics and UCD and maternal demographics and UCA. The study found no correlation between maternal demographics and UCC. Multiple regression analysis of the predictors of birth weights in the study population was conducted. The model as a whole was significant in predicting neonatal birth weights among the study participants at F (4, 92) = 20.731, p < 0.001. The final predictive equation of the model for predicting BW was given as: BW = 1.849 + 0.021 × maternal age + 0.031 × parity- 0.066 × UCC + 0.652 × UCD. The results suggest that umbilical cord size could be an important marker for fetal weight estimation. However, the less diverse small sample size and single-centre design of the study limit the generalizability of the findings.

BACKGROUND Anxiety and depression during pregnancy are relatively common among pregnant women, with a prevalence rate reaching 30% in some regions of China. Existing studies suggest that maternal psychological states during pregnancy may influence fetal development through neuroendocrine mechanisms and are associated with neonatal outcomes. However, the relationship between these factors and specific neonatal indicators such as Apgar score and birth weight remains incompletely understood. AIM To investigate the effects of anxiety and depressive symptoms during pregnancy on the Apgar score and birth weight of newborns. METHODS This study enrolled 100 primiparous women who registered and delivered at our hospital between October 2021 and October 2024. Participants were categorized into a normal group (70 cases) and an adverse outcome group (30 cases) based on neonatal outcomes. We collected and compared the general information, sleep status, mode of delivery, fasting blood glucose, and other clinical indicators of the two groups of pregnant women in the third trimester. Using logistic regression analysis, receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curves, and correlation analysis, we examined the relationship between pregnancy anxiety/depression symptoms and neonatal Apgar scores and birth weight. RESULTS The adverse outcome group exhibited significantly higher Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS), pregnancy stress scores, and fasting blood glucose levels compared to the normal group (all P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, they showed poorer sleep quality, lower natural delivery rates, shorter gestational age, lower newborn birth weight, shorter body length, and lower 5-minute Apgar scores. Logistic regression analysis revealed that SAS, SDS, poor sleep quality, and pregnancy stress scores were independent risk factors for adverse neonatal outcomes (all P &lt; 0.05). ROC analysis demonstrated that SAS and SDS had area under the curve values of 0.958 and 0.979, respectively, indicating strong predictive power for adverse neonatal outcomes (all P &lt; 0.05). Correlation analysis showed negative correlations between anxiety/depression scores and 5-minute Apgar scores (R = -0.60, P &lt; 0.001; R = -0.66, P &lt; 0.001, respectively) and birth weight (R = -0.80, P &lt; 0.001; R = -0.81, P &lt; 0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION Pregnancy-related anxiety, depressive symptoms, poor sleep quality, and high stress levels are independent risk factors for adverse neonatal outcomes. The SAS and SDS scales demonstrate strong predictive value for such outcomes. Clinicians should prioritize maternal mental health, which supports healthy neonatal development.

Small for gestational age and fetal growth restriction are two leading causes for low birth weight in term newborns. Due to the considerable overlap, the exact interactions between these groups have not been adequately studied. We aim to determine the prevalence, interactions, determinants, and outcomes of low birth weight, small for gestational age, and fetal growth restriction in term neonates. A cross-sectional study with a short-term follow-up was conducted at Colombo North Teaching Hospital, Ragama, Sri Lanka, between June and August 2025. All neonates of singleton pregnancies born at term were eligible. Stillbirths, multiple pregnancies and newborns born preterm, post-term, with uncertain gestations or with antenatally diagnosed congenital anomalies were excluded. The prevalence and interactions of low birth weight, small for gestational age, and fetal growth restriction were determined, and their risk factors were analysed. 437 term newborns (male-54.0%, primipara-53.3%) were recruited. The prevalence of low birth weight, small for gestational age, and fetal growth restriction were 14.0%, 15.1% and 14.9%, respectively. Of the low birth weight neonates, 75.4% were small for gestational age, and 50.8% had fetal growth restriction, while 20% did not have either. Of the low birth weight neonates who were small for gestational age, 18 did not have fetal growth restriction, indicating 29.5% of low birth weight neonates were constitutionally small. Female sex of the baby, low paternal education level, and pregnancy induced hypertension in the mother were significant independent risk factors for low birth weight. Low birth weight and fetal growth restriction were associated with a higher incidence of intensive care admissions, neonatal sepsis, and neonatal jaundice. The prevalence of low birth weight, small for gestational age, and fetal growth restriction in term neonates was 14.0%, 15.1% and 14.9%, respectively. Among low birth weight neonates, one-fifth had neither small for gestational age nor fetal growth restriction; therefore, healthy. An additional 30% of low birth weight babies did not have fetal growth restriction, indicating they are constitutionally small. Neonatal complications were associated more with low birth weight and fetal growth restriction than with small for gestational age.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of COVID-19 on the prevalence of group B Streptococcus (GBS) colonization and to examine whether the pandemic has influenced pregnancy complications among women colonized by GBS. A retrospective chart review was conducted on 2,448 pregnant women who received care at the Outaouais Birthing Center between 2016 and 2023. Pre- and post-pandemic onset data were compared for GBS positive and negative women. Primary outcomes included termination due to miscarriage, transfers (pre- and post-32weeks, perinatal, postnatal and newborn), reasons for transfers and newborns' Apgar scores. The secondary outcomes included gestational age at delivery, delivery type and location, newborn birth weight, vaginal birth after cesarean (VBAC) and feeding type. Demographic data were collected to ensure group comparability. GBS prevalence was similar before (29.43%) and after (26.59%) COVID-19 onset (p=0.06), with a significant spike in 2020 (32.95%, p=0.009). An inverse relationship was observed between COVID-19 and newborn transfers in the GBS positive group (p<0.001). Apgar scores below 7 increased during the pandemic (p=0.006), and reasons for perinatal transfers differed significantly (p=0.004). In the GBS negative group, postnatal transfers were negatively correlated with COVID-19 (p<0.001), and transfer reasons post-32weeks (p=0.02), perinatal (p<0.001), and newborn (p=0.02) transfers differed significantly. COVID-19 did not increase the prevalence of GBS in pregnant women. The rise in postpartum transfers and variations in transfer reasons suggest that the pandemic may have influenced healthcare practices rather than directly increasing GBS-related complications.

Lower maternal midterm eGFR was independently associated with increased risks of low birth weight and small for gestational age. Adding eGFR to conventional risk models improved prediction of adverse birth outcomes, highlighting its value as a prognostic marker. Midterm eGFR assessment may help identify at-risk pregnant women without overt disease, allowing closer monitoring and timely intervention. Little is known regarding whether renal function during pregnancy among healthy women is associated with pregnancy outcomes. Evidence based on the universal screening of maternal eGFR is lacking. We investigated the association of maternal eGFR during the second trimester with fetal birth weight. This prospective birth cohort study includes 1666 singleton pregnant women (median age 36 years, median body mass index 20.0) who had universal screening of eGFR during the second trimester. Participants were categorized into the quartile of eGFR. The first quartile group was defined as low eGFR, the fourth quartile group as high eGFR, and the second and third quartile group as reference. The primary outcomes are low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA). Multivariable logistic regression models were used to investigate the association of maternal eGFR and pregnancy outcomes. As compared with the reference group, the adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) for LBW and SGA in the low eGFR group were 2.25 (1.48 to 3.40) and 2.51 (1.63 to 3.87), respectively, and in the high eGFR group were 0.69 (0.40 to 1.19) and 0.55 (0.30 to 1.02), respectively. The adjusted odds ratios of eGFR per SD decrease (95% CI) for LBW and SGA were 1.92 (1.50 to 2.45; P = 0.013) and 2.07 (1.60 to 2.68; P < 0.001). The prediction models were improved by adding eGFR to the models including covariates for LBW (C statistics difference, +0.018; 95% CI, -0.004 to 0.040, net reclassification improvement;, 0.377; 95% CI, 0.208 to 0.545, and integrated discrimination improvement, 0.0135; 95% CI, 0.005 to 0.022) and for SGA (C statistics difference, +0.041; 95% CI, 0.003 to 0.080; net reclassification improvement, 0.408; 95% CI, 0.226 to 0.591; and integrated discrimination improvement, 0.017; 95% CI, 0.009 to 0.025). The lower maternal midterm eGFR is associated with LBW and SGA, while the higher eGFR is not. Evaluating midterm eGFR may help identify healthy women at risk of adverse birth outcomes.

The periparturient period in dairy cattle is characterized by significant metabolic stress, often involving a state of negative energy balance, heightened oxidative stress, and systemic inflammation. Supplementation with n-3 PUFA, such as docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), is a strategy employed to mitigate these negative effects due to their recognized anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties. Furthermore, peripartum cow nutrition during this phase may exert a prenatal programming effect on calf immune development, particularly because DHA is efficiently transported across the placenta to the fetus. This study investigated the effects of feeding DHA-rich Schizochytrium oil (SCH) to dairy cows during the peripartum period on peripartum cow health, colostrum quality, and the early immunity and growth of their offspring. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows were randomly assigned to a control group (CON, fed a basal diet) or a SCH group (SCH, fed 150 g/d of SCH, providing 18.9 g of DHA) from 30 d before expected calving until 7 d postpartum. To specifically evaluate the prenatal programming effects, neonatal calves were separated immediately after birth and fed pooled, standardized high-quality colostrum. Cows in the SCH group exhibited significantly enhanced plasma total antioxidant capacity and superoxide dismutase activity by 7 d postpartum compared with the CON group. Correspondingly, levels of the systemic inflammatory marker IL-6 were significantly lower, whereas plasma high-density lipoprotein cholesterol concentrations were significantly higher. Analysis of colostrum showed a pronounced enrichment of DHA, a significant reduction in the n-6/n-3 fatty acid ratio, a decrease in the IL-1β concentration, and a significant reduction in lactose content. Although DHA supplementation of peripartum cows did not significantly affect newborn calf birth weights or structural measurements, SCH calves exhibited significantly reduced serum concentrations of the tumor necrosis factor-α and IL-6 on d 2 postpartum.

BACKGROUNDUtero-placental insufficiency seen in perinatal asphyxia may adversely affect left ventricular (LV) geometry.AIMTo document the LV mass values in perinatal asphyxia and to elicit associated factors.METHODSThis was a cross-sectional study conducted in a tertiary health facility among newborns with perinatal asphyxia. Echocardiography was used to compare the LV mass of 84 new-borns with perinatal asphyxia with the LV mass of 48 new-borns without perinatal asphyxia matched for age. The data was analysed using SPSS version 25 (IBM, United States).RESULTSThe mean LV mass (7.9 ± 2.3 g) of perinatal asphyxia is lower than control (10.1 ± 0.7 g) P = 0.001. New-borns with severe perinatal asphyxia had the lowest mean LV mass (7.1 ± 1.5), while the moderate group had the highest (8.8 ± 2.5), with the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) result of F = 1.26 and P = 0.289. The mean LV mass was highest on day 1 (8.1 ± 2.5) and slightly lower on days 2 and 3 (both 7.7 ± 1.9 and 7.7 ± 2.0, respectively). Though ANOVA result (F = 2.47, P = 0.7282) indicates no significant relationship between the age of the newborn and LV mass, a weak positive correlation was observed between LV mass and gestational age which is statistically significant (r = 0.269 P = 0.028). A moderate positive correlation between the LV mass and birth weight of newborn was observed. This is statistically significant (r = 0.610, P = 0.001). There was weak negative correlation (r = -0.10, P = 0.752), between LV mass and age of the newborn without perinatal asphyxia but a moderate positive correlation (r = 0.69, P = 0.015) was observed, between LV mass and weight in non-asphyxiated newborn.CONCLUSIONThis study showed that the LV mass in perinatal asphyxia was significantly lower than those without asphyxia. There was a direct correlation between LV mass and birth weight of neonates with perinatal asphyxia. Early detection of the cardiac disease, appropriate management and sustained reduction of birth asphyxia, and improved intra-partum quality of care are key.

Objective: To investigate the effects of pre-pregnancy and prenatal exposure to six major air pollutants (CO, NO2, O3, PM10, PM2.5, SO2) on birth weight in newborns and identify critical exposure windows. Methods: This retrospective cohort study analyzed data from 1 561 mother-infant pairs who delivered at Taiyuan Central Hospital between January 2020 and December 2023, combined with contemporaneous air pollution monitoring records. This study used the geographic information system (GIS) technology to evaluate the individual air pollutants exposure level of pregnant women, and calculated the average pollutant concentrations for four stages: preconception (the 12 weeks before conception), first trimester (weeks 1-13), second trimester (weeks 14-27) and third trimester (weeks 28-37). Multiple linear regression models were used to assess the associations between air pollutant exposure and birth weight at different pregnancy stages. The distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) was further constructed to characterize the nonlinear exposure-lag-response relationships, identify sensitive windows, and examine sex differences. Results: Preliminary multiple linear regression showed that third-trimester exposures to PM2.5(β^=-43.00, 95%CI:-79.40- -6.68), PM10(β^=-35.00, 95%CI:-66.00- -4.07), NO2(β^=-35.50, 95%CI:-66.90- -4.08) and SO2(β^=-28.80, 95%CI:-52.70- -4.97) were negatively associated with birth weight (all P<0.05), but these associations disappeared after full adjustment for covariates. DLNM analysis revealed exposure-response relationships for CO, O3, PM10, and SO2 on birth weight, with distinct critical exposure windows: CO (weeks 2-13, 14-20), O3 (weeks 4-13, 14-24), PM10 (weeks 22-27, 28-37), and SO2 (weeks 11-13, 14-27 and 28-37). Among these, the largest effect were observed for CO at gestational week 12, O3 at week 13, and for both PM10 and SO2 at week 37. The effect estimates and their 95% confidence intervals were -37.12(-62.78- -11.45), -3.61(-6.45- -0.77), -5.01(-8.98- -1.04) and -8.31(-12.07- -4.56), all P<0.05. Gender differences in pollutant effects were observed: male newborns were more sensitive to SO2 across multiple stages, to CO in mid-pregnancy, and to PM10 in late-pregnancy; female newborns were more susceptible to PM10 in the preconception and early-to-mid-pregnancy periods, to O3 in early-to-mid pregnancy, and to SO2 in late pregnancy. Conclusion: Exposure to air pollutants during pregnancy is associated with reduced birth weight in newborns. Different pollutants have specific exposure windows, and gender differences exist. This finding provides important scientific evidence for preventing adverse pregnancy outcomes and developing intervention strategies to improve neonatal health.