Risk Factor For Low Birth Weight Research Articles

Examining the trimester-specific effects of low gestational weight gain on birthweight: the BOSHI study

Low gestational weight gain (GWG) is a known risk factor of low birthweight. Although studies have previously examined the associations between GWG and birthweight, the period-specific effects of low GWG in each trimester remain unclear. This study aimed to quantify the trimester-specific direct effects of low GWG in Japanese women on birthweight. Using perinatal data from a cohort study, we analyzed pregnant women delivered at an obstetrics/gynecology hospital between October 2006 and May 2010. We focused on women with a pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) below 25 kg/m2. The exposure was low GWG. The gestation period was subdivided into trimesters, and the direct effects of low trimester-specific GWG on birthweight were estimated using marginal structural models. These models were guided by a direct acyclic graph that incorporated potential confounders, including pre-pregnancy BMI, age, smoking during pregnancy, height, and parity. We analyzed 563 women and their families. The mean cumulative GWG by the end of the first, second, and third trimesters was 0.9, 6.2, and 10.7 kg, respectively. Approximately 14.0% of the women gained total weight below the range recommended by Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare. The direct effects of low GWG on birthweight were 65.9 g (95% confidence interval: 11.4, 120.5), -195.4 g (-263.4, -127.4), and -188.8 g (-292.0, -85.5) for the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively. Insufficient weight gain in the second and third trimesters had a negative impact on birthweight after adjusting for pre-pregnancy BMI and other covariates.

Maternal and neonatal outcomes of abnormal placentation: a case–control study

Background There is limited information on neonatal outcomes in complicated pregnancies with abnormal placentation. The aim of this study was to assess the neonatal outcomes of abnormal placentation. Methods In this case–control study, known cases of abnormal placentation between the years 2010 and 2017 were extracted. The case group consisted of pregnant women with abnormal placentation (172 cases), while controls were selected from repeated cesarean section cases with normal placentation (341 people). Results In the case group, 145 cases (84.3%) had placenta accreta, 12 cases (7.07%) had placenta increta and five cases (8.7%) had placenta percreta. Characteristics significantly more common in the case group included lower mean gestational age and average neonatal weight (p < .001), low birth weight (LBW) and small for gestational age (SGA) (p < .001), admission to the NICU (p < .001), higher average number of hospitalization days in the NICU (p < .05), lower average 5-minute Apgar scores (p < .001), neonatal seizure (p = .004), cranial hemorrhage (p = .037), anemia (p = .002) and thrombocytosis (p = .029). The occurrence of abnormal placentation was associated with some underlying maternal characteristics such as high maternal age (p = .34), lower maternal weight (p = .044), multiparity (p = .11), history of previous abortion (p = .036), and history of cesarean (p = .001). The prevalence of placenta previa was significantly higher in the case group (p < .001). Conclusion The presence of placenta previa has a close relationship with abnormal placentation and is considered to be a potential risk factor for LBW, SGA, lower 5 minutes Apgar scores, first-day seizure, cranial hemorrhage, the necessity for NICU admission and occurrence of anemia and thrombocytosis in neonates.

FAKTOR RISIKO KEJADIAN BERAT BADAN LAHIR RENDAH PADA MASYARAKAT PENAMBANG BATU DI WILAYAH MORAMO UTARA

Cases of low birth weight (LBW) are at risk of increasing mortality and morbidity, it is necessary to identify identification of LBW incidence factors. This study analyzed the risk factors for LBW events. This research is a study consisting of two groups and case control designed with a case study design. The population is mothers who have been collected with a sample of 54 respondents divided into two case groups and a control group. Sampling in the study group with a simple random sampling technique and in the control group took samples that matched the age group so that they obtained the same number of samples between the case group and the control group. Variables published were age at pregnancy, parity, diet and disease history, analysis of data using Odd Ratio and multivariate logistic regression (a = 0.05).Factors associated with low birth weight during pregnancy were age (p = 0.013), parity (p = 0.002), diet (p = 0.001) and disease history (p = 0.000). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the age during pregnancy was a risk factor for LBW and the most influential factor (OR = 13,311; 95% CI 1,753-101,080). age (&lt;20 and&gt; 35 years) has a risk of 13 times giving birth to babies with low births compared to mothers aged 20-35 years. It is expected that the mother avoids the risk of pregnancy at age (&lt;20 years and&gt; 35 years) and the dissemination of related health workers about risky pregnancies to reduce the risk of LBW.&#x0D; Keywords : Age; parity;diet; history of disease; LBW.

Low birth weight incidence in newborn' neonate in Qom, Iran: Risk factors and complications

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is related with high morbidity of neonatal consequences and death. This study aimed to determine the incidence of LBW, its risk factors, and complications in born neonates in Qom, Iran 2017. Methods: This retrospective chart review was conducted with 602 newborns participants who were one of Qom hospitals in Iran. Data were extracted from the patients' medical records and entered into data collection sheet and were analyzed by t-test, Chi-square, Fisher exact, and independent t-tests in SPSS v. 18 software. Results: The overall incidence of LBW in born neonates was 9.6%, and the mean of maternal age was 28.8 years. Based on results, twin's birth (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.47), receiving corticosteroid (OR = 4.55), and premature rupture of membrane (PROM) (OR = 1.08) were the most important related factors of LBW and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (OR = 6.47.8), sepsis (OR = 5.36), and icterus (OR = 5.8) consequences of LBW. Nevertheless, poor feeding, hypoplasia, premature, tachypnea, meconium, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypotonic, and other neonatal complications do not show the significant relationship with LBW (P > 0.05). Conclusions: According to results, twin's births, receiving corticosteroid, and PROM are the important risk factors for LBW and RDS, sepsis and icterus were the most common complication of LBW. As a result, preventive programs for control of LBW and infant complications are essential.

Risk Factors of Low Birth Weight Infants: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Complications caused by low birth weight (LBW) are among the most common causes of neonatal mortality and future problems during adulthood. This study aimed to identify the risk factors for LBW. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences from 2017 to 2018 on 7,382 LBW neonates and 36,911 healthy neonates. Data were collected from the SINA electronic health record system. Data analysis was performed in STATA version 12.0. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regression were applied to determine the association between independent variables and LBW. Results: The prevalence of low birth weight was 5.88 infants per 100. In this study, the risk of LBW was increased in people living in rural areas, compared to urban areas, by 9% (95% CI: 1.01-1.18), in illiterate individuals by 4.60% (95% CI: 4.05-5.23), in employed individuals by 2.40% (95% CI: 2.20-2.62), in female newborns (95% CI: 1.04-1.16), in mothers with a history of miscarriage by 74% (95% CI: 1.09-2.75), in women with premature delivery by 34.09% (95% CI: 29.17-39.84), in women with a history of multiple gestations by 22.30% (95% CI: 18.71-26.59), in women with a history of drug consumption by 2.01% (95% CI: 1.83-2.21), in mothers not consuming folic acid and iron by 24% (95% CI: 1.10-1.39) and 9% (95% CI: 1.00-1.19). On the other hand, it decreased by lack of consumption of multivitamins and vitamin D by 1% (95% CI: 0.88-1.11), and 29% (95% CI: 0.61-0.82), respectively. Conclusion: According to the results, educating mothers, increasing prenatal care, having an appropriate diet and taking supplements can play an important role in reducing the risk of LBW.

Low birth weight incidence in newborn' neonate in Qom, Iran: Risk factors and complications

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is related with high morbidity of neonatal consequences and death. This study aimed to determine the incidence of LBW, its risk factors, and complications in born neonates in Qom, Iran 2017. Methods: This retrospective chart review was conducted with 602 newborns participants who were one of Qom hospitals in Iran. Data were extracted from the patients' medical records and entered into data collection sheet and were analyzed by t-test, Chi-square, Fisher exact, and independent t-tests in SPSS v. 18 software. Results: The overall incidence of LBW in born neonates was 9.6%, and the mean of maternal age was 28.8 years. Based on results, twin's birth (Odds ratio [OR] = 1.47), receiving corticosteroid (OR = 4.55), and premature rupture of membrane (PROM) (OR = 1.08) were the most important related factors of LBW and respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) (OR = 6.47.8), sepsis (OR = 5.36), and icterus (OR = 5.8) consequences of LBW. Nevertheless, poor feeding, hypoplasia, premature, tachypnea, meconium, intraventricular hemorrhage, hypotonic, and other neonatal complications do not show the significant relationship with LBW (P > 0.05). Conclusions: According to results, twin's births, receiving corticosteroid, and PROM are the important risk factors for LBW and RDS, sepsis and icterus were the most common complication of LBW. As a result, preventive programs for control of LBW and infant complications are essential.

Associations between Maternal Sleep Quality Throughout Pregnancy and Newborn Birth Weight

ABSTRACT Objective: Poor sleep quality is common during pregnancy. Although a few studies have investigated the associations between maternal sleep quality and fetal birth weight (BW), no evidence has been clearly demonstrated. Our aim was to investigate the effects of sleep quality during pregnancy on the newborn BW z-scores. Participants: 1466 mother-infant pairs were included in the present study based on an ongoing prospective cohort. Methods: Questionnaires including the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and scales for psychosocial status were administered at each trimester. BW z-scores were calculated based on the INTERGROWTH-21st standard. A generalized estimating equation model was applied to evaluate the associations between trimester-specific sleep quality and newborn BW after adjusting for potential confounders. Multivariable logistic regression models were applied to examine the impacts of maternal sleep quality on small-for-gestational-age (SGA) or low birth weight (LBW). Results: We found that maternal PSQI scores in the first and third trimesters were negatively associated with BW z-scores among female newborns (β = −0.032, 95% CI: −0.063, −0.001, P= .043; β = −0.031, 95% CI: −0.060, −0.003, P= .033, respectively). However, no relationship was observed between maternal sleep quality and BW in male neonates. Additionally, poor sleep quality in late pregnancy was a risk factor for LBW (OR = 1.501, 95% CI: 1.082–2.082). Conclusions: The BW z-scores of female newborns decreased as maternal sleep quality in the first and third trimesters worsened. This finding suggests that sleep during pregnancy may influence fetal weight in a trimester- and gender-specific manner.

Spatial distribution of low birth weight and association with chemical fertilizer application in rural areas of Shanxi province

Objective: To explore the spatial distribution of low birth weight (LBW) and the potential environmental risk factors and provide the evidence for the prevention and intervention of LBW. Methods: Data were from a surveillance system for newly born population and adverse pregnancy outcome between 2007 and 2012 in Pingding county, Shanxi province. The data from 313 villages were analyzed. Spatial hierarchical Bayesian model was used to adjust the risk of LBW at village level, Moran's I and Getis-Ord Gi* were used to analyze the difference in distribution of LBW risk area. Spatial negative binomial model was used to evaluate the association between the risk of LBW and chemical fertilizer application. Results: A total of 18 749 new births were recorded between 2007 and 2012, including 911 LBW cases, the total incidence of LBW was 4.86%. The result of the spatial hierarchical Bayesian model showed that high-risk area of LBW was in the southeast of Pingding and low-risk area was in the middle west of Pingding. The result of Moran's I showed that there was a clustering pattern of LBW risk, and Getis-Ord Gi* found a high risk (hot spot) area in the south area. Moreover, the findings of association analysis showed that the risk of LBW increased with the increased chemical fertilizer application at village level. Conclusions: There were area specific differences in the risk of LBW, and dose-response relationship between chemical fertilizer application and the risk of LBW. Our findings suggest that maternal exposure to chemical fertilizer during pregnancy might be a potential risk factor for LBW in rural area.

The The Exposure of Pesticide to Pregnancy Toward the Occurance of Low Birth Weight (LBW) in Metro Selatan District, Metro City.:

Background: Metro Selatan district is a rural and agricultural area in Metro city which boasts the thriving production of vegetables. Consequently, the use of pesticide is also very high. The dependency of the farmers on the use of pesticide with the inclusion of high numbers of women in the plantation has taken a toll on their health, particularly in the case of pregnant mothers, who mostly live or work in or around the plantation areas. The exposure of pesticide to pregnant mothers can lead to both reproduction condition or defect as well as the occurance of Low Birth Weight (LBW) to infants they give birth to. This research aims to find out the extent of the pesticide exposure toward the case of Low Birth Weight in Metro selatan district, Metro city. Method: the method used in this research is analitycal obseravtion by using Case Control study design. This data was taken from 99 samples with the ratio of 2 : 1, consisting of 33 cases of the occurance of Low Birth Weight and 66 number of controls. The data was gathered through interview and observation. The data analysis employs Chi-square test and logistical regression. To cite this article: Ayu Tri Darmawati, Onny Setiani, 2019)Ayu Tri Darmawati, Onny Setiani, S. (2019). The Exposure of Pesticide to Pregnancy Toward the Occurance of Low Birth Weight (LBW) in Metro Selatan District, Metro City. The International Journal of Health, Education and Social, 2(5), 9–19. Result: based on the result of bivariate analysis, it was found that there were 5 independent variables which contribute to risk factors of LBW ; (1).the physical involvement in pesticide spraying activity in the farms/plantations [OR = 3.320 995%CI; 1.309-8.424)], the mixing of pesticide [OR 2.934 (95%CI; 1.208-7.127)], the handling of spraying tools [OR= 5.125 (95%CI; 2.005-13.103), the stroring of pesticide [OR= 2.870 (95%CI; 1.207-6.925)], and the using of APD [OR= 3.322 (95%CI; 1.364-8.089)]. The result of multivariate analysis suggests that the subjects who were involved directly in the spraying of pesticide, mishandled the spraying tools, stored the pesticide inside the house and worked without complete APD were more prone to and had higher probability to have cases of Low Birth Weight infants, which is 72.3%. Conclusion: The direct involvement in the spraying of pesticide, mishandling the spraying tools, storing the pesticide inside the house and working without complete APD are all contributing factors for the research subject that cause the occurances of Low Birth Weight. Additionally, the farmer women who work in areas where pesticide is constantly used is highly recommended to wear the complete APD. Keywords: pesticide exposure, Low Birth Weight (LBW), pregnancy.

LOW BIRTH WEIGHTS: I- MATERNAL RISK FACTORS

Background: Low birth weight (LBW) is an important public health problem. The problem is prevalent world-wide and has negative impacts. So, its prevention is a major challenge. Objective: To determine maternal risk factors of LBW in Cairo city. Design: A case-control, hospital-based, study design. Subjects: Mothers of 270 LBW neonates were recruited in this study. A control group of mothers of an equal number of normal birth weight (NBW) neonates was chosen. Methods: The mothers of LBW and NBW neonates were interviewed using a specially designed questionnaire. All mothers had been subjected to full examinations. The neonates were weighted and examined after labor. Results: Low education, unskilled occupation, and husband unavailability are significant sociodemographic risk factors of LBW; OR=1.75, 1.62, and 2.21, respectively. Mother’s height (≤145 cm), BMI (<18 kg/m²), history of previous abortion, and maternal family history of LBW are significant personal characteristic risk factors of LBW; OR=3.26, 5.11, 3.27, and 3.23, respectively. The significant obstetric risk factors are congenital malformations, weight gain during pregnancy ≤6 kg, multiple gestations, bleeding at first/second trimester, presence of complications during delivery, gestation age <37 weeks, and birth spacing <2 years; OR=13.61, 7.61, 7.15, 5.92, 3.93, 3.17, and 2.84, respectively. Absence of antenatal care, inadequate healthy diet intake, physical hard activities, exposure to tobacco smoke, and living nearby heavy air pollution are significant health care behavioral and life-style risk factors of LBW; OR=2.49, 2.72, 2.96, 3.64, and 4.8, respectively. Anemia, hypertension, and history of recurrent chronic/specific infections are significant medical risk factors of LBW; OR=2.68, 4.35 and 4.84, respectively. Anorexia nervosa/stress, oligo/polyhydramnios, and gestational hypertension are significant gynecological/obstetric conditions risk factors; OR=3.53, 3.32, 3.23, and 3.36, respectively. Lastly, the most important risk factors of LBW as weighted by partial F-test are multiple gestations, neonate congenital malformations, weight gain during pregnancy ≤6 kg, maternal BMI <18 kg/m², gestation age <37 weeks, and mother’s weight at early pregnancy ≤45 kg, (F test=2.9, 2.7, 2.6, 2.3, 2.2, and 2.2, respectively). Recommendations: There is a need for improving the quality and utilization of ANC services, nutritional education, birth spacing, and avoidance exposure to tobacco smoke. Also, increasing promotion of reproductive health services in relation to safe motherhood at community level in order to reduce risk factors of LBW is needed. Lastly, further population based studies are needed in different areas in Egypt.

Risk of low birth weight infants in women conceived through in vitro fertilization and fresh embryo transfer

Objective To analyze the risk factors of low birth weight (LBW) in infants who were conceived through fresh embryo transfer after in vitro fertilization. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 4 930 live babies born after in vitro fertilization/intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection- embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) at Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-Sen University between January 2011 to December 2016. They were 3 474 singletons and 1 456 pairs of dizygotic twins. According to their birth weight, all singletons were divided into two groups: the LBW singleton group (<2 500 g, n=252) and the control singleton group (≥2 500 g, n=3 222). Two dizygotic twin groups, the LBW dizygotic twin group (<2 500 g, n=1 014) and the control dizygotic twin group (≥2 500 g, n=442), were set up as well. Clinical characteristics of the infants in different groups and risk factors of LBW were analyzed. Independent samples t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, and logistic regression were used for statistical analysis. Results (1) The rates of LBW were 7.25% (252/3 474) in singletons and 69.64% (1 014/1 456) in dizygotic twins. (2) In singleton pregnancies, the maternal body mass index (BMI) of the LBW group was lower than that of the control group [(20.9±2.8) vs (21.3±2.7) kg/m2, t=2.162, P=0.031], while the rates of preterm delivery and blastocyst transfer were higher [61.7% (153/252) vs 5.7% (182/3 222), 8.7% (22/252) vs 5.1% (163/3 222), χ2=814.232 and 6.234, respectively, all P 10 970 pmol/L) and different gender of twins were independent risk factors for LBW in dizygotic twin pregnancies (adjusted OR=4.51, 1.35 and 1.45, 95%CI: 3.50-5.82, 1.06-1.74 and 1.09-1.93, all P<0.05). Conclusions High maternal serum E2 level after controlled ovarian stimulation (COS) in fresh embryo transfer cycle may be one of the risk factors for LBW in twin pregnancies. Key words: Infant, low birth weight; Fertilization in vitro; Embryo transfer; Estradiol; Ovulation induction; Risk factors

Maternal age and anemia are risk factors of low birthweight of newborn

Low birthweight is one of the risk factors that contribute to infant mortality especially during perinatal period. Low birthweight is still a worldwide problem because it is a newborn's death. in essence many factors that affect the incidence of low birthweight they are maternal age and anemia. The purpose of this study is to analyze the maternal age and anemia are risk factors of low birthweight newborn. This research is an analytic observational study with case control study. The sample of this study amounted to 32 cases and 32 controls. The instrument used observation sheet by looking at the data in Medical Record. The analysis used is bivariate with person chi-square test to see the maternal age and anemia are risk factors of low birthweight newborn. The result of this study proved maternal age affect as low birthweight newborn, evidenced by statistic analysis p-value <0.05 is 0.001 and Odd Ratio: 16.2 (Confident Interval 95%: 1.94-135.38), and anemia affect as low birthweight newborn, evidenced by statistic analysis p-value <0.05 is 0.001 and Odd Ratio: 6.3 (Confident Interval 95%: 3-13.198). The results of this study can be concluded that maternal age and anemia have affect of low birthweight newborn.

Household renovation before and during pregnancy in relation to preterm birth and low birthweight in China.

From October 2010 to April 2012, we conducted a cross-sectional study of associations between household environments and childhood health among preschool children in eight Chinese cities. Here, we analyze associations of early household renovation with preterm birth (PTB), low birthweight (LBW), term low birthweight (Term-LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA). Parents responded to questions about household renovation and their children's gestational age and birthweight. In the multivariate logistic regression analyses, household renovation in the year before pregnancy was significantly associated with LBW (sample size: N=25813; adjusted odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs): 1.23, 1.01-1.50) and Term-LBW (N=24823; 1.29, 1.01-1.67). Household renovation during pregnancy was significantly associated with PTB (N=25202; 1.28, 1.01-1.69). These significant associations were also found in the two-level (city-child) logistic regression analyses and in the sensitivity analyses among 21009 children with complete data in all studied variates. Stronger associations were found in certain subgroups. Our findings indicate that household renovation within one year before pregnancy might be a risk factor for LBW and Term-LBW, while household renovation during pregnancy could be a risk factor for PTB.

Quality antenatal care protects against low birth weight in 42 poor counties of Western China.

Limited data exist related to low birth weight (LBW) incidence and risk factors in Western China. This paper aims to assess LBW and its relationship with antenatal care (ANC) in the poor counties of Western China. A community-based study in rural Western China was conducted in 2011. A kernel distribution was used to estimate the adjusted LBW incidence, and associations between LBW and socio-demographic or maternal factors were examined using multilevel logistic regression. Among 8,964 participants, 65.7% were weighed at birth. Crude LBW incidence was 6.6% and the adjusted rate was 9.3%. The study revealed that risk factors of LBW are being female, raised within a minority group, and with a family income below the national poverty line. For maternal risk factors, LBW was positively associated with not attending at least five or eight ANC visits, not receiving any ANC during the first trimester, and not having access to assess certain ANC content (weight, blood pressure, blood test, urine test, B-scan ultrasound, and folic acid supplement). There is urgent need to promote quality ANC in poor and rural areas of Western China and to prioritize vulnerable women and children who will benefit from quality ANC.

Is socio-economic status associated with adverse birth outcomes in Poland?

Low birth weight (LBW) is an important indicator of the healthy of the population and reflects the living conditions, health and health behaviours of pregnant women. To assess the relationship between Gross Enrollment Rate at the Tertiary Education Level, average salary, Gross Domestic Product per capita, unemployment, housing area, urbanization and low birth weight in Polish sub-regions. An ecological study was undertaken using data on socio-economic and demographic features and LBW in 2005-2014. The units of observation were 66 Polish sub-regions according to the NUTS-3 classification. Two models were used to assess the influence of SES variables on LBW incidence rate in a 10-year study period. The first was the Poisson regression model adjusted for density of population, which was followed by the multivariable model using the GEE method of model parameters estimation. In Poland, significant slow changes in the LBW incidence rate were observed in 2005-2014 (AAPC = -0.44%/year). In model 1, the increase in LBW was associated with an increase in unemployment (1.005) and decrease of average salary (0.987), GERTEL (0.990) and housing area (0.991). In model 2, an unfavorable association was detected between the density of population (1.068) and a still existing relationship with unemployment (1.004), average salary (0.990) and GERTEL (0.991). Protective factors for newborns' health were a higher level of education and income. The results indicate the need to take actions to reduce the risk factors of LBW among pregnant women living in densely populated areas.

Effects of Selected Socio-Demographic, Maternal, ServiceRelated and Psychological Risk Factors on Low Birth Weight Babies: An Unmatched Case Control Study

Background: Birth weight is considered as the most important factor in determining the neonatal and infant survival. Low Birth Weight (LBW) is an indicator of the socio-economic conditions and indirectly measures the maternal and child health. Objectives: This work was designed to find out effects of selected socio-demographic, maternal, service-related and psychological risk factors on low birth weight babies Methods: This is a hospital based unmatched case control study Findings: sleeping 26 kg/m2 (OR:2.13, 95% CI:1.27-3.58) were risk factors for LBW. Maternal height < 153 cm (OR: 0.5, 95% CI:0.34-0.73)was a protective factor. Conclusion: Sedentary life style, less sleeping, exposure to kitchen smoke, taking drugs other than routine antenatal drugs and Body Mass Index (BMI) ≥ 26 kg/m2 are modifiable risk factors for LBW. Low maternal height was a protective factor.

Both maternal and paternal risk factors for term singleton low birthweight infants in rural Chinese population: a population-based, retrospective cohort study

No large population-based study has focused on both maternal paternal risk factors for low birthweight (LBW) in China. We aimed to identify parental risk factors associated with LBW.A population-based, retrospective cohort study was conducted on 202,725 singleton infants at 37–42 weeks. These term singleton newborns were classified as LBW with birthweight ≤2500 g(TLBW) and normal birthweight between 50th to 97th percentile (TNBW 50th–97th) according to Chinese singleton norms. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to find those parental risk factors of LBW by comparing two groups. TLBW and TNBW(50th–97th) occupied 4.8% and 70.8% of the study population, respectively. Logistic regression showed a significant association with positive maternal hepatitis B surface antigen (RR = 1.979, P = 0.047), irregular folic acid intake (RR = 1.152, P = 0.003), paternal history of varicocele (RR = 2.404, P = 0.003) and female babies (RR = 1.072, P = 0.046). Maternal smoking, hypertension and history of stillbirth were found related to LBW but no statistically significant. Positive maternal hepatitis B surface antigen, irregular folic acid intake, paternal history of varicocele had a negative effect on birth weight. Measures are necessarily taken to avoid them to improve pregnancy outcomes. Further studies should be done to investigate each detailed risk factors on LBW.

Associations between maternal residential proximity to air emissions from industrial facilities and low birth weight in Texas, USA

BackgroundMost previous studies examining associations between maternal exposures to air pollutants during pregnancy and low birth weight (LBW) in offspring focused on criteria air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, O3, NO2, SO2, CO, and Pb). The relationship between non-criteria air pollutants and LBW is understudied and requires greater coverage. ObjectivesThis study investigated associations between maternal residential exposure to industrial air pollutants during pregnancy and LBW in offspring. MethodsThis study used a case-control study design that included 94,106 term LBW cases and 376,424 controls. It covered 78 air pollutants common to both the Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) and ground air quality monitoring databases in Texas during 1996–2008. A modified version of the Emission Weighted Proximity Model (EWPM), calibrated with ground monitoring data, was used to estimate maternal residential exposure to industrial air pollutants during pregnancy. Binary logistic regression analyses were performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) reflecting the associations of maternal exposure to industrial air pollutants and LBW in offspring, adjusted for child's sex, gestational weeks, maternal age, education, race/ethnicity, marital status, prenatal care, tobacco use during pregnancy, public health region of maternal residence, and year of birth. In addition, the Bonferroni correction for multiple comparisons was applied to the results of logistic regression analysis. ResultsRelative to the non-exposed reference group, maternal residential exposure to benzene (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.04, 1.08), benzo(g,h,i)perylene (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.07), cumene (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03, 1.07), cyclohexane (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.07), dichloromethane (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.03, 1.07), ethylbenzene (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03, 1.06), ethylene (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03, 1.09), mercury (aOR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.07), naphthalene (aOR 1.03, 95% CI 1.01, 1.05), n-hexane (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04, 1.08), propylene (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.03, 1.10), styrene (aOR 1.06, 95% CI 1.04, 1.08), toluene (aOR 1.05, 95% CI 1.03, 1.07), and zinc (fume or dust) (aOR 1.10, 95% CI 1.06, 1.13) was found to have significantly higher odds of LBW in offspring. When the estimated exposures were categorized into four different groups (zero, low, medium, and high) in the analysis, eleven of the fourteen air pollutants, with the exception of benzo(g,h,i)perylene, ethylene, and propylene, remained as significant risk factors. ConclusionsResults indicate that maternal residential proximity to industrial facilities emitting any of the fourteen pollutants identified by this study during pregnancy may be associated with LBW in offspring. With the exception of benzene, ethylbenzene, toluene, and zinc, the rest of the fourteen air pollutants are identified as LBW risk factors for the first time by this study. Further epidemiological, biological, and toxicological studies are suggested to verify the findings from this study.

Spatial Mapping Applied to Low Birth Weight Incidence , Indonesia

The etiology of Low Birth Weight (LBW) in Murung Raya is still unclear. This study aimed to find out the relationship between environmental and health behavior risk factors of LBW in Murung Raya. 150 women were recruited through the incidence data 2013- 2014, and the questionnaires, medical records, and geographic data were measured by McNemar, ANOVA, logistic, IRR, MI, z (Gi), and NNI tests. Bivariate analysis showed significant correlation of LBW with TBA care OR= 10, drinking popa OR= 5, smoking OR= 6.1, and accessibility OR = 2.3, with adjusted OR for TBA care OR= 32.78, ANC OR= 27.52 revealing trend lines with ANOVA F=49, and clustering RR=7, MI &gt;0 (four clusters), z (Gi) &gt;1 (two high clusters), and NNI&gt;1 (two high clusters). The spatial analysis provided greater statistical power to detect an effect that was not apparent in the case-control study. This study suggests that preventions, interventions and treatment for LBW not only be conducted by the current epidemiology approach but also by new modern geographic positioning analysis.

Low birthweight and preterm birth: trends and inequalities in four population-based birth cohorts in Pelotas, Brazil, 1982-2015.

BackgroundDespite positive changes in most maternal risk factors in Brazil, previous studies did not show reductions in preterm birth and low birthweight. We analysed trends and inequalities in these outcomes over a 33-year period in a Brazilian city.MethodsFour population-based birth cohort studies were carried out in the city of Pelotas in 1982, 1993, 2004 and 2015, with samples ranging from 4231 to 5914 liveborn children. Low birthweight (LBW) was defined as <2500 g, and preterm birth as less than 37 weeks of gestation. Information was collected on family income, maternal skin colour and other risk factors for low birthweight. Multivariable linear regression was used to estimate the contribution of risk factors to time trends in birthweight.ResultsPreterm births increased from 5.8% (1982) to 13.8% (2015), and LBW prevalence increased from 9.0% to 10.1%, being higher for boys and for children born to mothers with low income and brown or black skin colour. Mean birthweight remained stable, around 3200 g, but increased from 3058 to 3146 g in the poorest quintile and decreased from 3307 to 3227 g in the richest quintile. After adjustment for risk factors for LBW, mean birthweight was estimated to have declined by 160 g over 1982–2015 (reductions of 103 g in the poorest and 213 g in the richest quintiles).ConclusionsData from four birth cohorts show that preterm births increased markedly. Mean birthweights remained stable over a 33-year period. Increased prevalence of preterm and early term births, associated with high levels of obstetric interventions, has offset the expected improvements due to reduction in risk factors for low birthweight.