Significant Increase In Birth Weight Research Articles

Fish intake during pregnancy, fetal growth, and gestational length in 19 European birth cohort studies

Fish is a rich source of essential nutrients for fetal development, but in contrast, it is also a well-known route of exposure to environmental pollutants. We assessed whether fish intake during pregnancy is associated with fetal growth and the length of gestation in a panel of European birth cohort studies. The study sample of 151,880 mother-child pairs was derived from 19 population-based European birth cohort studies. Individual data from cohorts were pooled and harmonized. Adjusted cohort-specific effect estimates were combined by using a random- and fixed-effects meta-analysis. Women who ate fish >1 time/wk during pregnancy had lower risk of preterm birth than did women who rarely ate fish (≤ 1 time/wk); the adjusted RR of fish intake >1 but <3 times/wk was 0.87 (95% CI: 0.82, 0.92), and for intake ≥ 3 times/wk, the adjusted RR was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.84, 0.96). Women with a higher intake of fish during pregnancy gave birth to neonates with a higher birth weight by 8.9 g (95% CI: 3.3, 14.6 g) for >1 but <3 times/wk and 15.2 g (95% CI: 8.9, 21.5 g) for ≥ 3 times/wk independent of gestational age. The association was greater in smokers and in overweight or obese women. Findings were consistent across cohorts. This large, international study indicates that moderate fish intake during pregnancy is associated with lower risk of preterm birth and a small but significant increase in birth weight.

Fetal isolated short femur in the second trimester and adverse pregnancy outcomes

This study aims to evaluate the association of isolated short femur (ISF) in the second trimester ultrasound with adverse pregnancy outcomes. All obstetric scans between 16 and 24 weeks of gestation from 1 January 2006 to 1 June 2012 were retrospectively evaluated. Multiple pregnancies, major congenital or chromosomal anomalies and subjects with incomplete outcome data were excluded. Femur length (FL) measurement from the earliest scan of singleton pregnancies was selected. An ISF was defined as a FL less than the tenth percentile in a fetus with an abdominal circumference greater than or equal to the tenth percentile. The primary outcomes were small for gestational age (SGA), birth weight below the third and fifth percentiles, low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB) and preeclampsia (PE). A 5-min Apgar score of less than 7 and a neonatal intensive care unit admission were secondary outcomes. Of the 4992 eligible fetuses, 312 (6%) had an ISF. Mothers in the short femur group were shorter and had a lower prepregnancy and delivery weight than the group with normal FL (p < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression revealed a significant increase in birth weight below fifth percentile, SGA, LBW infants and PTB (<32, <34 and <37 weeks) in the ISF group (p < 0.05). The incidence of PE was similar in both groups. Isolated short femur in the second trimester increases the risk of LBW, SGA and PTB, but not of PE.

Evidence for Multiple Micronutrient Effects Based on Randomized Controlled Trials and Meta-Analyses in Developing Countries ,

Providing multiple micronutrients via supplements, powders, or fortified ready-to-use foods is increasingly becoming a strategy for simultaneously addressing multiple nutrient deficiencies in developing countries. The pros and cons of the “gold standard” randomized controlled trial (RCT) design and meta-analyses of trials for establishing efficacy of nutritional interventions are discussed. Over the past decade, numerous RCT have been undertaken to test the efficacy of multiple micronutrient supplementation in both pregnant women and young children. Outcomes of interest have ranged from birth weight to child growth, and infant morbidity and mortality to nutrient status and cognitive function. These RCT have also been submitted to meta-analyses for estimating pooled effect sizes for various outcomes. Meta-analyses of antenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation reveal a modest but significant increase in birth weight of 22.4 g (95% CI: 8.3, 36.4 g) and an 11% (95% CI: 3, 19) reduction in low birth weight but no impact on preterm birth or perinatal mortality. In children, small effect sizes of 0.13 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.21) for length/height and 0.14 (95% CI: 0.03, 0.25) for weight have been shown with 3 or more micronutrients compared to fewer micronutrients, but there is limited evidence for an impact on outcomes such as morbidity and cognitive function. Gaps in research and future challenges for programmatic application of this strategy for both pregnant women and young children are discussed.

A Comparative Evaluation of Multiple Micronutrient and Iron–Folic Acid Supplementation during Pregnancy in Pakistan: Impact on Pregnancy Outcomes

Maternal micronutrient deficiencies are widespread in Pakistan and are potentially associated with maternal undernutrition and intrauterine growth retardation. Intervention strategies largely consist of administration of iron-folic acid supplements during pregnancy. We evaluated the acceptability of multiple micronutrient supplementation and its potential benefits on pregnancy outcomes and maternal micronutrient status in a cohort of pregnant women in rural and urban Sindh through a cluster-randomized design. We randomly assigned 2378 pregnant women to receive either iron-folic acid or multiple micronutrient supplements. The supplements were administered fortnightly by community health workers who performed home visits to assess tolerance and observe the mothers. The women in both groups consumed about 75% of the supplements provided, and few reported adverse effects such as vomiting, abdominal pain, etc. There was a small (70 g) but significant increase in birthweight among infants of mothers receiving multiple micronutrients as compared with infants of mothers receiving iron-folic acid supplements (2.95 +/- 0.6 vs. 2.88 +/- 0.5 kg, p = .01). This translated into a 10% reduction (p < 0.17) in the proportion of low-birthweight infants among infants of mothers receiving multiple micronutrients. Although stillbirth rates were comparable in the two groups, the early neonatal mortality rate in the group receiving multiple micronutrients was higher, although not significantly, than that in the group receiving iron-folic acid (43.2 vs. 23.5 deaths per 1000 live births; RR = 1.64; 95% CI, 0.94 to 2.87). Comparable reductions in anemia (hemoglobin < 11 g/dL) were observed, although the proportion with low iron stores (assessed by serum ferritin) was lower in the iron-folic acid group in the postnatal period. Although the proportion of women with subclinical vitamin A deficiency after supplementation did not differ between the two groups, the iron-folic acid group had a higher proportion with lower serum zinc levels in the immediate postpartum period. These data suggest that multiple micronutrient supplements are well tolerated during pregnancy, but the effect on birthweight is modest. The observed effect on early neonatal mortality suggests the need for further studies and careful assessment of the intervention in health system settings.

Genomic imprinting – an epigenetic regulation of fetal development and loss

The interest in genomic imprinting and epigenetics in animal husbandry has to a extent been driven by the occurrence of a fetal overgrowth during assisted reproduction techniques (ART) in ruminants. This overgrowth is known as large offspring syndrome or LOS for short (reviewed by [1]). It is characterized by a significant increase in birth weight (8% – 50%), increase in gestational length, breathing problems at birth and an increased frequency of perinatal death. The phenomenon has been reported in both cattle and sheep with incidences up to 100%. It has been observed that a high proportion of serum in the in vitro culture medium can increase the frequency of LOS in sheep. Thus, factors in the serum and culture-environment per se have been suspected to be involved in the ethiology of LOS, but transfer into an asynchronous uterine environment where the gestational age is unmatched between the embryo and the recipient may also contribute.

Effect of multiple micronutrient supplementation during pregnancy on inflammatory markers in Nepalese women

Multiple micronutrient supplementation of Nepalese women during pregnancy is associated with a significant increase in birth weight. We tested the hypothesis that improved birth weight in infants of mothers supplemented with micronutrients is associated with a decrease in inflammatory responses and an increase in the production of T helper 1 cells and T helper 2 cells. The study was embedded in a randomized controlled trial of 15 micronutrients, compared with iron-folate supplementation (control), given during pregnancy with the aim of increasing birth weight. Blood samples were collected at 32 wk of gestation, 12-20 wk after supplementation began, for the measurement of inflammatory markers. Breast-milk samples were collected 1 mo after delivery for the measurement of the ratio of milk sodium to potassium (milk Na:K). In an opportunistically selected subgroup of 70 women, mitogen-stimulated cytokine production was measured ex vivo in whole blood. Blood eosinophils; plasma concentrations of the acute phase reactants C-reactive protein, alpha(1)-acid glycoprotein (AGP), neopterin, and ferritin; milk Na:K; and the production of interleukin (IL) 10, IL-4, interferon gamma, and tumor necrosis factor alpha in whole blood did not differ significantly between the supplemented and control groups. Plasma C-reactive protein and AGP were higher in women who had a preterm delivery, and AGP was higher in women who delivered a low-birth-weight term infant than in women who delivered a normal-birth-weight term infant. The results indicate an association between systemic inflammation in late pregnancy and compromised delivery outcome in Nepalese women but do not support the hypothesis that multiple micronutrient supplementation changes cytokine production or inflammatory markers.

Maternal Ghrelin Plays an Important Role in Rat Fetal Development during Pregnancy

Ghrelin, an acylated peptide serving as an endogenous ligand for GH secretagogue receptor (GHS-R), was originally isolated from rat and human stomach. In this study, we report the critical role of maternal ghrelin in fetal development. High levels of ghrelin receptor (GHS-R) mRNA were detected in various peripheral fetal tissues beginning at embryonic d 14 and lasting until birth. Fetal GHS-R expression was also confirmed in fetal tissues by immunohistochemistry. Autoradiography revealed that both des-acyl ghrelin and acyl ghrelin bind to fetal tissues. Chronic treatment of mothers with ghrelin resulted in a significant increase in birth weight in comparison to newborns from saline-treated mothers. Even when maternal food intake after ghrelin treatment was restricted through paired feeding, significant stimulation of fetal development still occurred. Conversely, active immunization of mothers against ghrelin decreased fetal body weight during pregnancy. A single ghrelin injection into the mother increased circulating ghrelin levels in the fetus within 5 min of injection, suggesting that maternal ghrelin transits easily to the fetal circulation. High levels of des-acyl ghrelin were detected in fetal blood and amniotic fluid. Both acylated and des-acyl ghrelin increased [3H]thymidine and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation of cultured fetal skin cells in a dose-dependent manner, and calcium-imaging analysis revealed that acyl and des-acyl ghrelin increased the Ca2+ influx in discrete cultured fetal skin cells, respectively. These results indicate that maternal ghrelin regulates fetal development during the late stages of pregnancy.

Long-term and short-term outcome after delayed-interval delivery in multi-fetal pregnancies

Objective:To assess a possible difference in the short- and long-term outcome between infants born from a delayed-interval delivery. Study design:We included all neonates that were either born between November 1991 and December 2000 from a delayed-interval delivery in the Isala Clinics, Zwolle, The Netherlands, or admitted to our clinic after birth. Gestational age, time of delay, birth weight, mortality, morbidity, long-term development and adverse outcome were compared between groups. Moreover, the ‘delayed infants’ group was compared to a reference group. The following statistical tests were used: prevalence ratio, the Wilcoxon test and the t-test. Results:Twenty-nine delivery-delaying procedures were successfully performed in our hospital. We included 17 sets of twins and 3 sets of triplets. The mean delay of 19.6 days accounted for a significant increase in birth weight and neonatal survival as well as a decrease in adverse outcome and presence of a number of disease; a negative effect on long-term development could not be shown. The reference group showed less sepsis than the delayed infants group. No serious maternal complications were observed. Conclusion:Delaying the delivery of a second or third infant has a positive effect on short-term outcome. Long-term outcome is comparable to children with the same gestational age.

Productivity of cow–calf pairs grazing tall fescue pastures infected with either the wild-type endophyte or a nonergot alkaloid-producing endophyte strain, AR5421,2

The nonergot alkaloid-producing endo-phyte, AR542, has been shown to improve the persistence and yield of tall fescue pastures without causing the animal disorders commonly associated with tall fescue toxicosis. A 3-yr grazing study was conducted to compare effects of AR542-infected tall fescue pastures with wild type endophyte-infected (E+) tall fescue pastures on cow-calf performance. Replicated 7.3-ha pastures of each treatment were grazed by cow-calf pairs (16 pairs per pasture replication) each year from March to weaning in September. The cows were exposed to breeding on their respective pasture treatments from April 1 through June 15. The treatment groups were compared for reproductive performance, ADG, BCS, calf growth rate, and weaning weight. Blood samples were also collected for serum prolactin (PRL) analysis. There were no significant differences in calving rate (P = 0.98) or calving interval (P = 0.62) between pasture treatments. Cows that grazed the AR542 pastures subsequently gave birth to calves that were heavier (P < 0.05) than calves from cows that had grazed the E+ pastures. Cows grazing the AR542 pastures had higher (P < 0.05) BCS at the end of the grazing period, and had higher ADG during the grazing period. Calves raised on the AR542 pasture had higher (P < 0.05) ADG and weaning weights than calves of the same sex raised on the E+ pastures. Serum PRL concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05) in both cows and calves on the E+ pastures compared with serum PRL concentrations in cows and calves grazing the AR542 pastures. The results indicate that grazing tall fescue pastures infected with the AR542 endophyte may give significant advantages in cow-calf growth rates and BCS over grazing E+ pastures. However, there did not seem to be any benefit in reproductive performance in this trial. There was a small, but significant increase in birth weight in cows grazing AR542 pasture.

Componentes de (co)variância e parâmetros genéticos de caracteres pós-desmama em bovinos da raça Angus

Foram determinados os componentes de (co)variância para caracteres do período pós-desmama na raça Angus e de covariância com peso ao nascer (PN) e caracteres do período pré-desmama por intermédio de um modelo animal. Utilizaram-se dados de 18.921 animais com registros de peso à desmama e ao sobreano, dos quais 4.452 tinham avaliações completas para escores visuais à desmama e ao sobreano. Registros de PN estavam disponíveis para 11.788 animais. As herdabilidades do ganho de peso pós-desmama (GP205) e dos escores de conformação (CS), precocidade (GS), musculatura (MS) e tamanho (TS) ao sobreano foram de 0,20, 0,19, 0,25, 0,26 e 0,24 respectivamente. As correlações genéticas entre os caracteres estudados foram todas positivas: entre GP205 e escores visuais variaram de 0,50 a 0,71; para os escores ao sobreano entre si, de 0,22 a 0,94; entre GP205 e PN foram de 0,14; entre GP205 e ganho pré-desmama, de 0,23; e para o mesmo escore visual observado à desmama e ao sobreano, de 0,90 a 0,99. Esses resultados indicam que é possível selecionar para GP205, sem aumento importante do PN, e que a seleção para GP205 deverá promover uma mudança genética correlacionada em escores visuais ao sobreano.

Prédiction de l’intervalle de latence par mesure échographique du col utérin dans la rupture prématurée des membranes avant terme

Objective: To assess the value of ultrasonographic measurement of cervical length for predicting the duration of the latency period from admission to delivery in women with preterm premature rupture of the membranes (PROM). Method: Prospective study in 88 women with preterm PROM before 34 weeks of amenorrhea. The median gestational age at admission was of 30.1 weeks. The clinical management included: no digital examination of the uterine cervix, antenatal corticosteroids, antibiotics (amoxicillin & clavulanic acid) for 7 days, and hoding back until 34 weeks. Cervical length at admission was determined with transvaginal ultrasonography. The duration of the latency period was studied in relation with cervical length, serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level and white blood cell (WBC) count at admission. Results: The median latency period was longer in women with a cervical length ≥ 25mm (10 vs 5 days; p = 0.04), but this was not associated with a significant increase in birth weight. The median latency period was also longer in women with CRP < 20 mg/l (10 vs 3 days; p < 0.001) and this was associated with a significant increase in birth weight (1716 ± 549 vs 1201 ± 485 g ; p < 0.01). Moreover, increased CRP levels were more frequent in women with a cervical length < 25 mm, and cervical length was no more predictive of the duration of the latency period in the subgroup of women with CRP < 20 mg/l and WBC < 20 000 cells/mm 3. Conclusion: In women with preterm PROM, the latency period from admission to delivery is shorter when cervical length is < 25mm. However, the clinical value of transvaginal ultrasonography is limited in comparison with serum CRP.

Change in observed birth weight associated with change in maternal cigarette smoking.

Using data collected by the National Collaborative Perinatal Project of the National Institute of Neurological and Communicative Disorders and Stroke, the author paired on characteristics of their first study pregnancy 319 white women who reported a change in smoking habits for two successive pregnancies with 319 women who reported no change in smoking behavior. Matching was based upon similar birth weight, interval between births, smoking behavior, sex, and parity of the first of two study births. Divergent smoking behavior for each pair by the time of the second study birth allowed assessment of smoking as a treatment effect. Members of each pair who started smoking prior to the second birth while not smoking for the first, had infants with an average birth weight of 67 g less than infants of their controls who did not start smoking and 36 g less than their previous infant. Among infants whose mothers reported smoking prior to the first study birth, a significant increase in birth weight was observed over infants of controls for women who quit smoking prior to the second study birth (average, 169 g). Taken at face value, this rebound in birth weight is not consistent with an immutable, innate predisposition to lower birth weight among those disposed to smoking.

The relationship between increasing birthweight and cephalopelvic disproportion in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania.

SummaryA one in ten sample was taken from the records of all singleton term deliveries which took place from 1956 to 1959, and in 1969, at Ocean Road Hospital, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. The birthweights from the sampled records, 1748 and 1833 respectively, were divided as follows: less than 2260 g., 2260 to 2700 g., and more than 2700 g. From this division it was found that in the ten year interval a statisti‐ cally significant increase in birthweight had taken place. The indications for Caesarean section were analyzed and this showed that disproportion as the indication had increased from 42 per cent in the period 1956 to 1959 to 52 per cent in 1969. It is suggested that this finding may be causally related to the increase in birthweight.

Birth weight of infants with rhesus incompatibilit,.

Summary: Despite suggestions to the contrary, there is no statistically significant increase in birth weight in 1,149 erythroblastotic infants of 32 to 40 weeks gestational age, when contrasted with 1,480 normal infants drawn from a similar population. When severely affected infants are contrasted with mildly affected infants, there is again no difference in birth weight demonstrated.

Crossbreeding Dairy Cattle. I. Some Effects of Crossbreeding on the Birth Weight and Gestation Period of Dairy Cattle

Data for this study consist of the birth weights and gestation periods of 1,004 live, single-born calves in the Illinois crossbreeding project. First-generation crossbreds were 1.90kg heavier than their purebred contemporaries, three-fourths-bred calves averaged 0.28kg heavier, and the five-eighth-calves averaged 2.44kg heavier than the purebreds. For all generations, crossbreds averaged 37.56kg, whereas purebreds averaged 36.02kg; thus, crossbreeding increased birth weight by 4.3%. The general lack of significant interactions for sires within breeds by breed of dam does not support the idea of nicking for specific sires in crossbreeding. Male calves were 2.48kg heavier than females, calves by Holstein sires were 2.54kg heavier than those by Guernsey sires, and for each increase of one-eighth-Holstein in the genotype of the dam, the birth weight of the calf increased 0.78kg; thus, calves out of Holstein dams were 6.22kg heavier than those out of Guernsey dams. The 6.22kg difference associated with breed of dam compared with the 2.54-kg difference associated with breed of sire is evidence for a breed, maternal effect on birth weight. The gestation period of crossbreds was only 0.5 day shorter than that for purebreds. Male calves were carried 1.2 days longer than females, calves by Holstein sires were carried 4.5 days less than those by Guernsey sires, and for each increase of one-eighth-Holstein in the genotype of the dam the gestation period of the calf decreased 0.33 day; thus, Holstein dams carried their calves 2.6 days less than Guernsey dams. A comparison of the 4.5 days’ difference associated with breed of sire with the 2.6 difference associated with breed of dam suggests a breed, paternal effect on gestation period. Crossbreeding has resulted in a small, 1.54-kg, but significant increase in birth weight, but has had little or no effect on gestation period.