Mean Birth Weight Of Babies Research Articles

Birth Weight of Infants of Mothers With Aggressive Periodontitis

It was hypothesized that if periodontal infections predispose low birth weights and premature birth, then such outcomes should be apparent when the mother has aggressive periodontitis (AgP). Birth weight data were collected by questionnaire from females with AgP, their periodontally healthy siblings, and unrelated periodontally healthy women. Both prospective and retrospective birth outcome data were used. Because many of the periodontal evaluations were performed after the births, there were incomplete data regarding most of the risk factors for low birth weight. We determined associations between mothers' periodontal diagnoses and clinical variables and the reported birth weights. There were no significant differences in mean birth weights of babies born to control subjects or AgP patients. This was true whether all the births were considered or only those reported <1 or 2 years before periodontal examination. For periodontally healthy controls, 13.2% of babies born to siblings of AgP patients and 12.8% of babies born to unrelated mothers weighed <2,500 g, whereas 9.9% of those born to mothers with generalized AgP and 10.3% of those born to mothers with localized AgP weighed <2,500 g. Because of the relative rarity of AgP in the population, and attendant difficulties in performing a prospective study of its association with pregnancy outcomes, we used a compromised approach using prospective data as well as weaker retrospective data assuming that disease onset was likely before the births. Our results, within the limitations of this approach, indicate no evidence that AgP in the mother predisposes low birth weights. AgP has many unique biologic characteristics that differentiate it from chronic forms of periodontal disease, and the possible lack of its association with birth weight may be another such characteristic.

ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASUREMENTS;

Background: Determination of anthropometric measurements, especially of birth weight of newborn in first few days after birthis important for the assessment of neonatal nutritional status, gestational maturity, and prediction of early neonatal death. Objectives: (1) Todetermine the mean birth weight, mean birth length and mean head-circumference. (2) To seek association between income of the family andmean birth weight. Study Design: Analytical cross-sectional study. Setting &amp; Period: This study was done in the pediatric department of LiaquatNational Hospital from March 2003 to September 2003. Materials and methods: One hundred full terms, normal, singleton newborn babieswere included and birth weight, length and head circumference were taken within 72 hours of birth. Results: Overall mean birth weight was2.890 kg, mean birth length 48.245cm and mean head circumference was 34.232 cm.The % of LBW babies was 13. The mean birth weight ofbabies belonging to group A (born to families with income &gt;5000 Rs/mth) was 3.044 Kg and that of group B (born to families with income &lt;5000Rs/mth) was 2.736 Kg. Group A had 8 % LBW babies whereas group B had 18 %. Mean birth weight, length and head circumference of boys was2.961Kg, 48.776 cm and 34.316 cm respectively. Mean birth weight, length and head circumference of girls was 2.788 Kg, 47.480 cm and34.109 cm respectively. Conclusions: Community based studies should be conducted from time to time in order to develop our own populationdata.

Maternal characteristics influencing birth weight and infant weight gain in the first 6 weeks post-partum: A cross-sectional study of a post-natal clinic population

Background:To investigate the relationship between certain maternal characteristic and infant birth weight and weight gain in puerperal women seen at a tertiary health centre.Materials and Methods:We measured the weight of 318, randomly selected infants after a complete physical examination at birth and at 6 weeks postnatal using standard procedures and related them to certain maternal characteristics.Results:There were 318 women and baby pairs. Maternal ages ranged from 16 to 42 years, with a mean of 25.6±1.3 years. Mean birth weight of babies was 3.10±1.89 kg; mean gestational age was 36±4.6 weeks, with 9.4% and 3.0% of babies born having low birth weight or Macrosomia respectively. Mothers from the North of the country, multiparity and systolic and/or diastolic hypertensions were factors associated with low birth weight. At 6 weeks, 27.1% of infants failed to gain weight as expected for their age. Similarly, 37.0% of infants born to mothers with some tertiary education showed slowed weight gain compared with those who had secondary (19.2%) or primary (14.7%) education, P=0.03. Maternal weight at delivery positively correlated with birth weight of the infant (r=0.357, P<0.001). However, maternal weight and blood pressure negatively correlated with infant weight gain at 6 weeks post-delivery.Conclusion:Our study demonstrates that certain maternal characteristics could play a role in the birth weight and early infant weight gain, and are preventable through simple public health approaches.

Feto-Maternal Outcome in Supervised Pregnancies of the Overweight Parturient

Objective To compare the feto-maternal outcome in obese and matched non-obese parturients Materials and Methods 106 obese, pregnant women and an equal number of non–obese matched controls who booked and delivered in LASUTH were studied. Biosocial data as well as feto-maternal parameters were recorded and analyzed. Results Increasing maternal age and parity were significantly associated with obesity in this study. There was no significant association between maternal weight and either prematurity or postdatism. PIH was the commonest antenatal complication in the obese group. None of the patients in the non-obese group had abnormal presentations. Caesarean section was commoner and the incidence of spontaneous vertex delivery lower in the obese group. The mean birth weight of babies in the obese group was significantly higher than that of the control group. 20.8% of the obese group had macrosomic babies compared with only 5.7% of the non obese group. No statistically significant differences were demonstrated in the incidence of neonatal complications, estimated blood loss at delivery and duration of hospital stay. Conclusions Overweight parturients in this study tend to be older, of higher parity, prone to pregnancy induced hypertension, have a higher incidence of caesarean sections and are predisposed to having bigger babies. Keywords: Diabetes, obesity, fetus, pregnancy, Apgar, forceps

Effect of reducing caffeine intake on birth weight and length of gestation: randomised controlled trial

Objective To estimate the effect of reducing caffeine intake during pregnancy on birth weight and length of gestation. Design Randomised double blind controlled trial. Setting Denmark. Participants 1207 pregnant women...

Gross characteristics of placentas from an assisted reproduction program

Even though placentas from assisted reproduction programs often differ from placentas of women who conceived naturally, they are rarely examined. The aim of our investigation was to determine some gross characteristics of placentas of women who conceived with assisted reproduction. We examined 30 placentas from an assisted reproduction program (20 from in vitro fertilization and 10 from intrauterine insemination) and 30 placentas of women who conceived naturally. All women were age matched. All the women were at term. The mean weight of placentas from assisted reproduction program was 573 g and of those after natural conception--582.67g. The mean length of the umbilical cords was 64.3cm after assisted reproduction and 66.3cm after natural conception. The mean placenta thickness after assisted reproduction was 2,22 cm and after natural conception 2.28 cm. Eight placentas of the study group had a marginal insertion of the umbilical cord, which lead to a statistically significant difference when compared to placentas of women who conceived naturally: chi-square = 7.07; p>0.01. Marginal cord insertion into the placenta after assisted reproduction is also often described in the literature (as a possible "consequence" of embryo-transfer). There were no statistically significant differences in the mean weight and dimensions of placentas, length of the umbilical cord, gross pathological features of placentas and cords, mean birth weight of babies and placental/fetal ratios between women from assisted reproduction program and those who conceived naturally.

THE EFFECT OF INFLAMMATORY BOWEL DISEASE ON THE OUTCOME OF PREGNANCY-A SINGLE CENTER STUDY

Purpose: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) commonly affects young adults in the reproductive age. A number of population-based studies showed adverse outcomes in pregnant mothers with IBD, such as pre-term delivery, low birth weight and congenital malformations, causing concern among patients and physicians. The aim of the study was to look for adverse birth outcomes in pregnant patients with IBD. Methods: Records of all patients with IBD and pregnancy in our hospital serving a large population in Long Island, New York were reviewed. During the period of 5 years (1998–2003), 57 patients were identified. Eight patients were excluded due to ongoing pregnancy. Of the 49 completed pregnancies, 34 had Crohn's disease (CD), and 15 had Ulcerative colitis (UC). Patients were analyzed for parity, flare up during pregnancy, use of drugs during pregnancy and previous surgery. The outcome of pregnancies was examined to look for stillbirths, pre-term births, low birth weight and congenital malformations. The results were compared with 50 consecutive pregnancies in 2003 in women without the diagnosis of IBD and not exposed to any medications during pregnancy. Results: The mean age of patients with CD and UC was 32 years and in the control group was 29 years. There was no statistical difference in the number of pregnancies, live births or spontaneous abortions between patients with CD and UC, compared with controls. Mean birth weight of babies in women with CD was 7.4 lbs, with UC 6.9 lbs and in control group was 7.3 lbs. Mean ages of gestation were 38.3, 37.6 and 39 weeks respectively, without any statistical difference. 12 patients (35%) with CD had surgery related to IBD prior to pregnancy and it did not have any effect on the outcome. None of UC patients had surgery related to the disease. There was a trend of smaller birth weight and earlier delivery in patients with UC without any medication, compared to patients on maintenance treatment; however, it did not show any statistical difference. Only 3 patients with CD and one with UC had disease flare up during pregnancy. Maternal weight, height and hematocrit were independent factors in the outcome of pregnancy in patients with IBD. Conclusions: Presence of IBD does not adversely affect the outcome of pregnancy. Maintenance treatment during pregnancy is safe. Further study with a larger sample size is needed to see if the adverse outcome is related to disease activity or disease flare-ups during pregnancy.

Vacuum Assisted Vaginal Deliveries in Sagamu

A retrospective review of all cases of vacuum assisted vaginal deliveries at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, between January 1990 and December 2001 is presented. During the study period there were 4962 deliveries and assisted vaginal deliveries by vacuum was 223, giving an incidence of 4.53%. Primiparous patients accounted for 57.4% of the cases. The commonest indication was delayed second stage (87%). The mean birth weight of babies was 3.13 Kg + 0.51 SD. One hundred and fifty two (68.2%) babies had Apgar scores of seven and more at the fifth minute of birth. The commonest fetal injury was scalp abrasion and cervical laceration was the commonest maternal complication. Key Words: Vacuum, Delivery, Vagina. Nig. Medical Practitioner Vol. 45(3) 2004: 38-40

Uterine contraction pressures in women undergoing a trial of labor after prior cesarean delivery

A TRIAL OF LABOR AFTER PRIOR CESAREAN DELIVERY LINDA FONSECA, SUSAN RAMIN, MICHAEL LUCAS, ALFRED SOSA, MARYCLARE DAY, LARRY GILSTRAP III, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences, Houston, TX OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the maximum uterine contraction pressures or Montevideo units (MVUs) in womenundergoing a trial of labor (TOL) after one prior cesarean. STUDY DESIGN:TheMVUs were determined during the first stage of labor for women undergoing a TOL after one prior cesarean delivery. All women included in this study were at term, had intrauterine pressure catheters (IUPCs), and were undergoing TOL during their second pregnancy. For analysis of MVUs, patients were divided into two groups. Group A included those women who had a successful TOL. Group B included those women who required repeat cesarean delivery. MVUs were also determined according to the type of labor (spontaneous, induced, or augmented). RESULTS: The mean MVU ( ± SD) for group A (n = 98) was 217 ± 79 versus 214 ± 78 for groupB (n = 45) (P = NS). 72 (73.5%) of the 98 womenwho had successful TOL (group A) achieved$200 MVUs, compared to 27 (60%) of the 45 women who had a failed TOL (group B; P = NS). The MVUs achieved in both group A and group B were similar regardless of whether labor was spontaneous (202 ± 90 [n = 55] vs 202 ± 80 [n = 13]) or if oxytocin was required (234 ± 74 [n = 43] vs 219 ± 74 [n = 32], P = NS) for either induction or augmentation. Not surprisingly, the mean birth weight for babies in group B was significantly greater than for group A (3630 ± 460 vs 3410 ± 498, P = 0.015). The mean gestational age was similar for both groups (39.5 weeks vs 40.0 weeks). CONCLUSION: Themajority of women undergoing a TOL in their second pregnancy achieved $200 MVUs regardless of whether they had a successful vaginal birth or required a repeat cesarean delivery. The number of Montevideo units achieved was not predictive of success or failure of the TOL. Women requiring repeat cesarean delivery had larger babies.

Influence of placental malaria infection on foetal outcome in the Gambia: twenty years after Ian Mcgregor.

Malaria infection in pregnancy has serious health consequences among mothers and offspring. The influence of placental malaria infection on foetal outcome was studied in a Gambian rural setting where few pregnant women take antimalarial chemoprophylaxis. During July-December 1997, three hundred thirteen mother-newborn pairs (singletons only) were consecutively recruited into a study of the effects of placental malaria infection on the outcome of pregnancy. Placental blood and tissue were collected at delivery. Babies were clinically assessed until discharge. The overall prevalence of placental malaria infection was 51.1% by placental histology and 37.1% by blood smear. The primigravid women were more susceptible to placental malaria than the multigravidae (65.3% vs 44.7%, p=0.01). Placental malaria was significantly associated with pre-term deliveryand intrauterine growth retardation (p<0.01), and there was a four-fold risk of delivering low-birth-weight babies if mothers had parasitized placentae [OR=4.42, 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.10-9.27]. A reduction of mean birth-weight of babies by 320 g was associated with placental malaria infection (p<0.001). Similarly, a two-fold risk of stillbirth delivery (OR=2.22, 95% CI 1.04-4.72) was observed among the infected mothers. The findings showed that there was still an overall poor foetal outcome associated with placental malaria infection. The findings of this study confirm the findings of an earlier study by McGregor in the Gambia that the low birth-weight rate is significantly higher if the placenta is parasitized. In addition, this study observed that the high stillbirth and prematurity rates were associated with placental malaria infection. The findings of the present study suggest undertaking of effective malaria-control strategies during pregnancy, such as use of insecticide-impregnated bednets, intermittent and early treatment for malaria, and antimalarial chemoprophylaxis, in the Gambia.

Effects of smoking cessation on maternal airway function and birth weight

Objective: To evaluate the effects of smoking cessation before or early in pregnancy on maternal airway function and birth weight. Methods: Measurements of forced expiratory spirometry including forced vital capacity, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, forced expiratory flow rates between 0.2 and 1.2 L, 25% and 75%, and 75% and 85%, and instantaneous flows at lung volumes of 25%, 50%, and 75% were carried out by a wedge bellow spirometer in 40 pregnant exsmokers and were compared with those of 175 nonsmoking and 97 currently smoking pregnant women. Spirometric testing was conducted at a mean (± SD) gestational age of 21.5 ± 7.0 weeks. In exsmokers, the average lifetime cigarette consumption was 17.1 ± 8.1/day for a mean duration of 9.7 ± 3.9 years, similar to that observed in current smokers. The median duration of smoking abstinence was 20 weeks before study spirometry. Results: All spirometric measurements in exsmokers were similar to those of nonsmokers and were significantly higher than those of current smokers. Spirometric measurements for nonsmokers, current smokers, and exsmokers were respectively: forced expiratory volume in 1 second (3.36 ± 0.39, 3.09 ± 0.45, and 3.35 ± 0.32 L); forced expiratory flow rate between 25% and 75% (ie, mid–expiratory phase) (3.85 ± 0.69, 3.21 ± 0.76, and 3.86 ± 0.66 L/sec); forced expiratory flow rate between 75% and 85% (ie end–expiratory phase) (1.39 ± 0.35, 1.03 ± 0.35, and 1.41 ± 0.39 L/sec); instantaneous flow at lung volume of 50% (4.35 ± 0.82, 3.76 ± 0.89 and 4.36 ± 0.68 L/sec); and instantaneous flow at lung volume of 25% (1.91 ± 0.47, 1.47 ± 0.49, and 1.92 ± 0.46 L/sec). Mean gestational age at delivery was similar among the three groups (277 ± 11, 274 ± 12, and 274 ± 11 days for nonsmokers, current smokers, and exsmokers, respectively). The mean birth weight of babies born to exsmokers (3408 ± 511 g) was similar to that of babies born to nonsmokers (3469 ± 461 g), but was significantly greater than that of babies born to smoking pregnant women (3189 ± 485 g; P < .001). Conclusion: Smoking cessation either before or at an early stage of pregnancy is associated with early, reversible increments of maternal airway function and mean birth weights that are higher than among women who continue smoking.

Is there an association between preconception paternal x-ray exposure and birth outcome? The ALSPAC Study Team. Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood.

Diagnostic x-rays are performed commonly on men of reproductive age, yet little is known about the potential effects of these x-rays on the future unborn children of such men. This study examines the possibility that preconception diagnostic x-ray studies of fathers may adversely effect their newborns. The authors used prospectively collected data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Pregnancy and Childhood (ALSPAC) for 7,678 birth records for women who gave birth in the County of Avon, England, in 1991-1992. Birth weight, gestational age, and fetal growth of infants whose fathers received diagnostic x-ray examinations likely to deliver significant gonadal doses within one year prior to conception were compared with infants whose fathers did not receive such x-rays. The mean birth weight of babies of exposed fathers was 3,358 g compared with a mean of 3,437 g in the unexposed group (p = 0.055). A similar difference was noted for intrauterine growth, 3,374 g exposed versus 3,437 g unexposed (p = 0.078). The downward trend in birth weight and fetal growth (birth weight adjusted for gestational age) persisted despite control for infants' sex and important parental variables such as age, height, race, education, occupational exposure, parity, and maternal smoking. Because medical x-rays are the largest controllable source of man-made ionizing radiation, more detailed study of the potential effect of paternal x-irradiation on progeny seems justified.

Birth weights of infants of first generation Asian women in Britain compared with second generation Asian women

To compare birth weights of infants of first generation Asian women (women born in the Indian subcontinent) with those of infants of second generation Asian women (born in the United Kingdom). Retrospective case note study. Bolton District General Hospital. 331 Asian women who gave birth between January 1989 and December 1989: 220 of these women were first generation Asians and 111 were second generation Asians. Birth weights of babies born to first and second generation Asian women. At all gestational ages at delivery, babies born to second generation Asian women were heavier than those born to first generation women. The mean birth weight for babies of second generation women was 3196 g, 249 g more than the mean birth weight of 2946 g of babies of first generation women (P < 0.001). After a stepwise multiple regression analysis was carried out the adjusted difference in birth weights was 280 g, greater than the crude difference. Birth weights are important in relation to perinatal mortality, which is notoriously high among Asians. The results of this study indicate that there is hope for lowering of perinatal mortality and improving postnatal growth in babies of second generation Asians.

Can malaria chemoprophylaxis be restricted to first pregnancies?

The harmful effects of malaria are most pronounced during first pregnancies and chemoprophylaxis is most effective when given at this time. However, restriction of chemoprophylaxis to first pregnancies might lead to enhanced susceptibility to malaria during second pregnancies. We have investigated this possibility by studying the outcome of second pregnancies in 165 Gambian women who had received either malaria chemoprophylaxis with Maloprim ® or placebo during their first pregnancy. Many of these primigravidae did not present until the third trimester of pregnancy so that some are likely to have experienced a malaria infection before they started medication. The prevalence of malaria infection of the blood and of the placenta during second pregnancies was similar in women who had received chemoprophylaxis during their first pregnancy and in those who had not, and the mean birth weights of babies born to women in each group were almost identical. Thus, in areas where the epidemiology of malaria is similar to that of The Gambia and where most women present relatively late in pregnancy, it may be possible to restrict malaria chemoprophylaxis to first pregnancies with consequent savings in cost and a reduction in drug pressure on Plasmodium falciparum.

Birth weight from pregnancies dated by ultrasonography in a multicultural British population.

To produce standard curves of birth weight according to gestational age validated by ultrasonography in the British population, with particular reference to the effects of ethnic origin. Retrospective analysis of computerised obstetric database. Three large maternity units associated with Nottingham University with over 16,000 deliveries a year. 41,718 women with ultrasound dated singleton pregnancies and delivery between 168 and 300 days' gestation. Length of gestation, ethnic origin, parity, maternal height and weight at booking, smoking during pregnancy; the effect of these variables on birth weight. Birth weights from ultrasound dated pregnancies have a higher population mean and show less flattening of the birthweight curve at term than those of pregnancies dated from menstrual history. Significant differences were observed in mean birth weights of babies of mothers of European origin (3357 g), of Afro-Caribbean origin (3173 g), and from the Indian subcontinent (3096 g). There were also significant interethnic differences in length of gestation, parity, maternal height, booking weight, and smoking habit which affected birth weight. The ethnic differences in birth weight were even greater when the effect of smoking was excluded. Birthweight standards require precise dating of pregnancy and should describe the population from which they were derived. In a heterogeneous maternity population the accurate assessment of an individual baby's weight needs to take the factors which affect birthweight standards into consideration.

Oxytocin Augmentation In Dysfunctional Labour after Previous Caesarean Section

Summary. Uterine activity was quantified in women with a previous caesarean scar and a slow progress of labour who needed oxytocin augmentation. Of the 63 women 49 (78%) progressed well (mean cervical dilatation rate of 1·5 cm/h) and were delivered vaginally. Fourteen women had slow progress of labour (0·3 cm/h) and were delivered by caesarean section despite adequate and similar augmented uterine activity to that in the women who were delivered vaginally. Those who were delivered by caesarean section had a significantly higher mean maximum dose of oxytocin and a longer period of augmentation. All caesarean sections were for cephalopelvic disproportion and the mean birthweight of babies born by caesarean section (3598 g) was significantly higher than that of babies born vaginally (3230g). Satisfactory rate of cervical dilatation in the presence of optimal uterine activity is predictive of favourable outcome when oxytocin is used for dysfunctional labour after previous caesarean section.

The effects of malaria chemoprophylaxis given by traditional birth attendants on the course and outcome of pregnancy

A trial of malaria chemoprophylaxis given by traditional birth attendants was undertaken in a rural area of The Gambia where access to antenatal clinics is difficult. Women received one or more doses of Maloprim ® or placebo from a traditional birth attendant during 1049 of 1208 pregnancies (87%) recorded in 16 villages over a 3-year period. Primigravidae who received Maloprim ® had a lower parasite rate and a significantly higher mean packed cell volume than primigravidae who received placebo, and their babies were significantly heavier (6% low birth weight vs 22%). In multigravidae chemoprophylaxis reduced malaria parasitaemia but it had no beneficial effect on haemoglobin level and much less effect on birth weight than was observed in primigravidae. However, the mean birth weight of babies bom to grandemultigravidae who received chemoprophylaxis was significantly higher than that of babies born to grandemultigravidae who did not.

Birth weight before and after a spontaneous abortion.

A survey of pregnancies occurring in 3502 women doctors provided an opportunity to examine the relationship between early fetal loss and birth weight. This was found to be complex. The most important observations were that the mean birth weight of babies preceding a spontaneous fetal loss was lower than that of livebirths preceding another livebirth, and that in the subgroup of women with repeated early losses, mean birth weight fell with increasing pregnancy order. In contrast, mean birth weight of the first livebirth following a single spontaneous abortion was higher, though not significantly, than that of livebirths in the first pregnancy.

PREGNANCY AT 40 YEARS AND OVER

231 women aged 40-47 years were studied in their average seventh pregnancy 91% attended antenatal care clinics regularly. The caesarean section rate was 18% compared with 5.1% for the hospital as a whole. 176 babies were considered to be in excellent condition at birth 36 in fair and 15 in poor. The prenatal mortality rate was 48 per 1000 live and stillborn babies which is nearly twice that for women of all ages. The incidence of twinning was 1 in 38 compared with 1 in 90 for all patients. The mean birth weight for babies born at 40 weeks to healthy mothers was 3597 gm (7 pounds 15 oz) compared with 3523 gm for normal pregnancies of all ages. One patient who had a number of high-risk factors died. In view of the problems these older women face in pregnancy it is suggested that emphasis should be placed on family planning as an important aspect of their postnatal care.

PREGNANCY AT 40 YEARS AND OVER

231 women aged 40-47 years were studied in their average seventh pregnancy 91% attended antenatal care clinics regularly. The caesarean section rate was 18% compared with 5.1% for the hospital as a whole. 176 babies were considered to be in excellent condition at birth 36 in fair and 15 in poor. The prenatal mortality rate was 48 per 1000 live and stillborn babies which is nearly twice that for women of all ages. The incidence of twinning was 1 in 38 compared with 1 in 90 for all patients. The mean birth weight for babies born at 40 weeks to healthy mothers was 3597 gm (7 pounds 15 oz) compared with 3523 gm for normal pregnancies of all ages. One patient who had a number of high-risk factors died. In view of the problems these older women face in pregnancy it is suggested that emphasis should be placed on family planning as an important aspect of their postnatal care.