Term Birth Weight Research Articles

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation during pregnancy influences offspring immune and inflammatory responses in Wistar-strain rats.

During pregnancy, maternal exposure to ultraviolet radiation (UVR) has been linked to altered offspring immune and health status. This study was therefore designed to investigate some markers of immune response in the offspring of pregnant Wistar rats exposed to UVR at various points of gestation. Thirty pregnant rats were divided into 6 groups (n=5) as follows; group I, control, consisting of pregnant rats unexposed to UVR. Animals in groups II, III, IV, V and VI were exposed to UVR for one hour daily, on gestational days 1-7,8-14,15-21,1-14 and 1-21, respectively. Animals were allowed to come to term and offspring birth weight was taken. On postnatal Day 10, weight of each offspring was taken again. Thereafter, blood samples were collected from each offspring per group and evaluated for total protein, albumin, globulin, C-reactive protein, interleukin-1β, and complement component protein-3 (C3). Offspring hepatic samples were evaluated using standard histological techniques. Offspring birthweight increased (p<0.05), while weight gain on postnatal day 10 reduced in all experimental groups compared to controls. No significant differences were observed for offspring total protein, albumin, and C3 levels across all groups. Globulin increased (p<0.05) only in group VI, while C-reactive protein increased (p<0.05) in all experimental groups, except group III, compared to controls. Interleukin-1β in groups II, III, V and VI increased significantly compared to controls. Offspring hepatic samples exhibited hepatocellular degeneration and necrosis that was independent of gestational stage of maternal exposure to UVR. Maternal exposure to ultraviolet radiation during gestation in Wistar rats activates offspring immune and inflammatory responses.

Ultrasound fetal biometry in third trimester in urban Nepalese population

INTRODUCTION: Fetal biometry is an important component of fetal growth surveillance and can detect small for gestation age fetuses. However, we use growth curves from studies done in other high-income countries and do not have a standard of our own. This study aims to study the deviation of biometry and expected fetal weight from these curves in pregnancy with normal birth weight term deliveries.&#x0D; METHODS: The study was a retrospective hospital record-based study including term delivery from 2018 May to 2020 January. All lowrisk patients visiting ultrasound OPD in our hospital in 3rd trimester were retrieved and included in the study. Patient with low AFI, major fetal anomaly, abnormal fetal heart rate, preterm delivery, birth weight less than 2500 gm (low birth weight), intrauterine fetal demise, preeclampsia or other complications were excluded from the study. Fetal biometry and expected fetal weight were evaluated. Data was entered in predesigned performa and analysis was performed with IBM SPSS 20.0.&#x0D; RESULTS: A total of 590 ultrasound examinations done in 372 patients were included in the study. Mean age of the patients was 30.78+/-3.98 years, median age was 30 years (IQ range-5). Approximately 316(53.6%) patients were under 30 years of age, 198(33.6%) patients were between 30-35 and 76(12.9%) patients were above 35 years. Median gestational age at birth was 39 weeks and median birth weight was 3120 grams. Median and percentile for various biometry was calculated. EFW was below 50th percentile in 424(71.9%) according to WHO chart. The median percentile for EFW was 30.6 (IQ-33.6).&#x0D; CONCLUSION: Expected fetal weight in Nepalese population is smaller than that predicted by WHO chart. Development of country specific fetal growth curve is recommended for accurate fetal growth surveillance.

Residential proximity to hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells and adverse birth outcomes in urban and rural communities in California (2006-2015).

Prenatal exposure to hydraulic fracturing (HF), a chemically intensive oil and gas extraction method, may be associated with adverse birth outcomes, but no health studies have been conducted in California. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 979,961 births to mothers in eight California counties with HF between 2006 and 2015. Exposed individuals had at least 1 well hydraulically fractured within 1 km of their residence during pregnancy; the reference population had no wells within 1 km, but at least one oil/gas well within 10 km. We examined associations between HF and low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age birth (SGA), and term birth weight (tBW) using generalized estimating equations and assessing urban-rural effect modification in stratified models. Fewer than 1% of mothers (N = 1,192) were exposed to HF during pregnancy. Among rural mothers, HF exposure was associated with increased odds of LBW (odds ratio [OR] = 1.74; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.10, 2.75), SGA (OR = 1.68; 95% CI = 1.42, 2.27) and PTB (OR = 1.17; 95% CI = 0.64, 2.12), and lower tBW (mean difference: -73 g; 95% CI = -131, -15). Among urban mothers, HF exposure was positively associated with SGA (OR = 1.23; 95% CI = 0.98, 1.55), inversely associated with LBW (OR = 0.83; 95% CI = 0.63, 1.07) and PTB (OR = 0.65; 95% CI = 0.48, 0.87), and not associated with tBW (mean difference: -2 g; 95% CI = -35, 31). HF proximity was associated with adverse birth outcomes, particularly among rural Californians.

Alteration of Iron, Zinc, Vitamin A Breast Milk Levels During Lactation Period Among Mothers of Low Birth Weight Infant Born at Preterm and Term

Background: Duration of lactation and preterm delivery were noticed as dominant factors affecting breast milk composition, including its micronutrient particularly iron, zinc and vitamin A. This study was to analyze the alteration of iron, zinc, vitamin A levels within colostrum and mature breast milk among mothers of low birth weight (LBW) preterm and term infants.Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2019 and April 2020 among mothers of LBW infant delivered at preterm and term at Dr. Soetomo hospital. Seventeen samples of breast milk were enrolled on each group. Respectively, colostrum and mature milk were collected between day 2 and 4, between day 15 and 20 after delivery.Results: The iron levels on both groups did not change significantly during lactation period (respectively p=0,266 and p=0,845). Zinc levels were found significantly higher in colostrum of both groups, as well as vitamin A levels within colostrum in LBW preterm group (p&lt;0,05).Conclusions: Higher levels were found in zinc within colostrum of both groups, similar to vitamin A in LBW preterm group. In contrast, iron did not differ significantly during lactation period.

Residential proximity to greenness and adverse birth outcomes in urban areas: Findings from a national Canadian population-based study

BackgroundOver the last decade, several studies have reported that residential proximity to vegetation, or ‘greenness’, is associated with improved birth outcomes, including for term birth weight (TBW), preterm birth (PTB), and small for gestational age (SGA). However, there remain several uncertainties about these possible benefits including the role of air pollution, and the extent to they are influenced socioeconomic status. MethodsWe addressed these gaps using a national population-based study of 2.2 million singleton live births in Canadian metropolitan areas between 1999 and 2008. Exposures to greenness, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) were assigned to infants using the postal code of their mother's residence at the time of birth. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) was used to characterize greenness, while estimates of ambient PM2.5 and NO2 were estimated using remote sensing, and a national land-use regression surface, respectively. Multivariable regression analysis was performed to describe associations between residential greenness and the birth outcomes. Stratified analyses explored whether these associations were modified by neighbourhood measures of socioeconomic status. ResultsMothers who lived in greener areas had a lower risk of low TBW, PTB, and SGA babies. These associations persisted after adjustment for ambient NO2 and PM2.5. Specifically, in fully adjusted models, an interquartile range (IQR = 0.16) increase in the NDVI within a residential buffer of 250 m yielded odds ratios of 0.93 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92, 0.94), 0.94 (95% CI: 0.92, 0.95), and 0.94 (95% CI: 0.93, 0.95) for the outcomes of PTB, low TBW, and SGA, respectively. Similarly, an IQR increase in greenness was associated with a 16.3 g (95% CI: 15.3, 17.4) increase in TBW. We found inverse associations between greenness and the occurrence of adverse birth outcomes regardless of the socioeconomic status of the neighbourhood. InterpretationOur findings support the hypothesis that residential greenness contributes to healthier pregnancies, that these associations are independent from exposure to air pollution. , and that proximity to greenness benefits all mothers regardless of socioeconomic status.

Complicaciones obstétricas relacionadas con la terapia antirretroviral en gestantes infectadas por el VIH

IntroductionThe percentage of HIV-infected pregnant women seeking pregnancy has increased in developed countries due to the stability of the infection and the decrease in vertical transmission due to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and preventive measures. However, there is little information regarding the effect of ART on pregnancy. MethodsRetrospective study of HIV-infected pregnant women on ART monitored at Hospital La Paz between 2000-2017. Maternal-foetal complications were studied. ResultsOne hundred and forty-one gestations were collected in 112 HIV-infected women. The most commonly used ART was the combination of 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor analogues+1 protease inhibitor (58.1%), with significant differences between the different treatments in terms of plasma viral load being undetectable to a greater extent with 2 nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor analogues+1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor, the second most used regimen. The rates of low birth weight (<2,500g) term neonates (11.3%), preterm delivery (11.1%) and preterm premature rupture of membranes (5.6%) were higher than in the general population. Although there was no association, these complications were more frequent in pregnant women with a protease inhibitor/ritonavir. They were not related to plasma viral load. No increase in the rate of gestational terminations, malformations or gestational diabetes was found. ConclusionHIV-infected pregnant women on ART have an increased rate of low birth weight, prematurity, and preterm premature rupture of membranes at term compared to the general population, especially related to treatment with protease inhibitor, although without significant association.

Bone mass in newborns and its predictors.

Optimal bone mass (a function of foetal programming and adequate intrauterine bone mineral accrual) is essential for prevention of osteoporosis. The present study was planned with the objectives to describe newborn bone mass (NBBM) and study the associated factors. Observational study Patients: Singleton pregnant women ≤16 weeks gestation. Maternal factors and antenatal events: Dietary assessment (3 days-24-h diet recalls at ≤16 and 32-34 weeks), fetal femoral volume (FFV) assessment at 19 and 34 weeks, serum 25 hydroxyvitamin D (S.25OHD) and placental weight. Newborn anthropometric parameters, cord S.25OHD & IGF-1 level and NBBM by DXA (whole-body bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD) and bone area). Total 224 subjects were studied: 198 full-term and 26 preterm. The mean BMC, BMD and bone area for term newborns was 46.5 g (95% confidence interval [CI]: 45.35-47.66), 0.209 g/cm2 (95% CI: 0.206-0.212) and 221.6 cm2 (95% CI: 218.52-224.62), respectively. The mean placental weight was 403.2 ± 75.01 g (n = 72) while FFV was 0.71 ± 0.28 ml (19 weeks; n = 59) and 4.4 ± 1.17 ml (34 weeks; n = 33). Factors significantly associated with NBBM -gestational age at delivery, gestational weight gain, FFV at 19 weeks, placental weight, third-trimester maternal serum albumin and newborn anthropometric parameters (univariable analysis) and newborn birth weight, placental weight and FFV at 19 weeks (multivariable analysis). This study described NBBM among term newborns and birth weight, second-trimester FFV and placental weight were the associated factors.

The effect of prenatal temperature and PM2.5 exposure on birthweight: weekly windows of exposure throughout the pregnancy

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Birthweight is a strong predictor of normal growth, healthy development, and survival. Several studies have found associations between temperature, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and birth weight. However, the relevant timing of exposures varies between studies and is yet unclear. Therefore, we assessed the difference in term birthweight (TBW) associated with weekly exposure to temperature and PM2.5 throughout 37 weeks of gestation. METHODS: We included all singleton live term births in Massachusetts, U.S between 2004 and 2015 (n=712,438). Weekly PM2.5 and temperature predictions were estimated on a 1 km grid from satellite-based models. We utilized a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) to estimate the difference in TBW associated with weekly exposures to PM2.5 and temperature simultaneously from the last menstrual period to 37 weeks of gestation. RESULTS:We found a nonlinear association with temperature exposure. We observed positive differences in TBW associated with rises of colder temperatures (2.6g increase, 95% CI 0.1g; 5.1g, for one ºC increase from -4 ºC) and negative difference in TBW associated with rises of warmer temperatures (7.9g decrease, 95% CI -11.2g; -4.6g, for one ºC increase from 23 ºC). Temperature effects were larger in the first and final weeks of gestation. We observed a negative difference in TBW associated with PM2.5 exposure. Overall, one µg/m3 increase in prenatal exposure was associated with 3.9g lower TBW (95% CI -5.0g; -2.9g). PM2.5 effects were larger in the final weeks of gestation. CONCLUSIONS:We found heat and PM2.5 exposure to be related to lower TBW. Our findings suggest that women are more susceptible to both exposures towards the end of pregnancy. Susceptibility to heat was higher in the initial weeks of pregnancy as well. These critical windows of susceptibility can be communicated to pregnant women during routine prenatal visits to increase awareness and target interventions to reduce exposures. KEYWORDS: birthweight, temperature, air pollution, birth outcomes

Association between residential proximity to hydraulically fractured oil and gas wells and adverse birth outcomes in California (2006-2015)

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Hydraulic fracturing (HF) is a chemically intensive oil and gas extraction method. Although studies indicate exposure to HF during pregnancy may be associated with adverse birth outcomes, no health studies on HF exposure have been conducted in California. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of 979,961 births to mothers in eight California counties with HF wells between 2006-2015 to assess the relationship between prenatal exposure to HF wells and adverse birth outcomes. Exposed individuals were those that had at least 1 HF well within 1 km of their residence throughout their pregnancy and the reference population had no wells within 1 km but at least one oil or gas well within 10 km. We used generalized estimating equations to examine associations between HF well exposure and low birth weight (LBW), preterm birth (PTB), small for gestational age birth (SGA), and term birth weight (tBW). We assessed effect modification by urban/rural communities using stratified models. RESULTS:Less than one percent of mothers (N=1,192) were exposed to HF during pregnancy. Among rural mothers, prenatal HF exposure was associated with 74% increased odds of LBW (odds ratio [OR] = 1.74 and 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.10, 2.75), 68% increased odds of SGA (OR = 1.68, 95% CI: 1.42, 2.27), 73 grams lower tBW (mean difference: -73 g, 95% CI: -131, -15) and 17% increased odds of PTB (OR = 1.17, 95% CI: 0.64, 2.12). Among urban mothers, we observed a positive association between HF exposure and SGA (OR = 1.23, 95% CI: 0.98, 1.55) and inverse associations with LBW (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.63, 1.07) and PTB (OR: 0.65, 95% CI: 0.48, 0.87). CONCLUSIONS:Proximity to HF was associated with adverse birth outcomes among rural women in California. Future research is needed to better characterize specific hazards associated with HF. KEYWORDS: birth outcomes, oil and gas development, hydraulic fracturing, pregnancy exposure

Associations between green space, air pollution and birthweight in Sydney Metropolitan Area, Australia

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Low birthweight is one of the most common pregnancy complications. Previous studies have shown that while higher quantities of green space are associated with higher birthweights, exposure to ambient air pollution is associated with lower birthweights. These results might be related since green space is theorized to buffer air pollution harms; however, evidence of interactions between these exposures on birthweight remains inadequate. Therefore, aim of this study was to investigate how the association between air pollution (NO2, PM2.5, SO2 and O3) term birthweight is affected by quantity of green space. METHODS: 79,430 births recorded in Sydney in 2016 and 2017 were included in the analysis. Multilevel linear regression with random intercepts for statistical area level 2 (SA2) were developed to assess association between air pollutants and birthweight. Furthermore, interaction terms between air pollutants and green space quantity were fitted in the model to examine potential effect modification. RESULTS:Higher PM2.5, NO2 and SO2 was associated with lower birthweight, while increase in O3 exposure was associated with higher birthweight (all p0.05). Higher green space quantity was associated with lower birthweight (p0.05). Interactions between green space quantity and NO2 and PM2.5 were identified (p0.05), indicating that increasing green space may help to mitigate harms of moderate levels of NO2 and PM2.5 on birthweight. CONCLUSIONS:Improving access to green spaces in cities may help support a healthy start in life by mitigating harms from certain air pollutants. Replication in different contexts and consideration of potentially contrasting results with different types of green space should be further investigated. KEYWORDS: Green space, Birth outcomes, air pollution

Prenatal Use of Medication for Opioid Use Disorder and Other Prescription Opioids in Cases of Neonatal Opioid Withdrawal Syndrome: North Carolina Medicaid, 2016-2018.

Objectives. To estimate use of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and prescription opioids in pregnancy among mothers of infants with neonatal opioid withdrawal syndrome (NOWS). Methods. We used linked 2016-2018 North Carolina birth certificate and newborn and maternal Medicaid claims data to identify infants with an NOWS diagnosis and maternal claims for MOUD and prescription opioids in pregnancy (n = 3395). Results. Among mothers of infants with NOWS, 38.6% had a claim for MOUD only, 14.3% had a claim for prescription opioids only, 8.1% had a claim for both MOUD and prescription opioids, and 39.1% did not have a claim for MOUD or prescription opioids in pregnancy. Non-Hispanic Black women were less likely to have a claim for MOUD than non-Hispanic White women. The percentage of infants born full term and normal birth weight was highest among women with MOUD or both MOUD and prescription opioid claims. Conclusions. In the 2016-2018 NC Medicaid population, 60% of mothers of infants with NOWS had MOUD or prescription opioid claims in pregnancy, underscoring the extent to which cases of NOWS may be a result of medically appropriate opioid use in pregnancy.

Associations between Residential Proximity to Oil and Gas Drilling and Term Birth Weight and Small-for-Gestational-Age Infants in Texas: A Difference-in-Differences Analysis.

Background:Oil and natural gas extraction may produce environmental pollution at levels that affect reproductive health of nearby populations. Available studies have primarily focused on unconventional gas drilling and have not accounted for local population changes that can coincide with drilling activity.Objective:Our study sought to examine associations between residential proximity to oil and gas drilling and adverse term birth outcomes using a difference-in-differences study design.Methods:We created a retrospective population-based term birth cohort in Texas between 1996 and 2009 composed of mother–infant dyads () living from an oil or gas site. We implemented a difference-in-differences approach to estimate associations between drilling activities and infant health: term birth weight and term small for gestational age (SGA). Using linear and logistic regression, we modeled interactions between births before (unexposed) or during (exposed) drilling activity and residential proximity near (0–1, 1–2, or ) or far () from an active or future drilling site, adjusting for individual- and neighborhood-level characteristics.Results:The adjusted mean difference in term birth weight for mothers living 0–1 vs. from a current or future drilling site was [95% confidence interval (CI): , ] for births during active vs. future drilling. The corresponding adjusted odds ratio for SGA was 1.02 (95% CI: 0.98, 1.06). Negative associations with term birth weight were observed for the 1–2 and near groups, and no consistent differences were identified by type of drilling activity. Larger, though imprecise, adverse associations were found for infants born to Hispanic women, women with the lowest educational attainment, and women living in cities.Conclusions:Residing near oil and gas drilling sites during pregnancy was associated with a small reduction in term birth weight but not SGA, with some evidence of environmental injustices. Additional work is needed to investigate specific drilling-related exposures that might explain these associations. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP7678

Invited Perspective: Oil and Gas Development and Adverse Birth Outcomes: What More Do We Need to Know?

Invited Perspective: Oil and Gas Development and Adverse Birth Outcomes: What More Do We Need to Know?

Effect of Oral Fenofibrate on Serum Bilirubin Level in Term Neonates with Unconjugated Hyperbilirubinaemia: A Randomized Control Trial

Introduction: Hyperbilirubinemia is a common problem in the neonatal period. Phototherapy is the most important proposed treatments for hyperbilirubinemia, but several drugs along with phototherapy are used with recent advances. Aim: To see the effect of oral fenofibrate on serum bilirubin level in term neonates with unconjugated hyperbilirubinaemia. Methods: This prospective study was carried out in Combined Military Hospital Cumilla from July 2018 to June 2019. Total 60 term and normal birth weight neonates with neonatal jaundice were enrolled in this study. Jaundiced newborns presenting with infection, G6PD deficiency, conjugated bilirubin &gt;2 mg/dl or &gt;15% of total serum bilirubin (TSB) and congenital anomalies were excluded from this study. These neonates were randomly allocated to the Fenofibrate group (30 cases) and Control group (30 cases). Total serum bilirubin was measured every 24 hours till the end of phototherapy and at the time of discharge. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 22.0 and p&lt;0.05 was considered significant. Results: There were no significant differences in gender, age, weight, gestational age and type of delivery between two groups. Mean duration of hospital stay were 4.0±0.7 and 5.5±1.4 days in Fenofibrate group and Control group respectively (p&lt;0.001). In Fenofibrate group, TSB was decreased from 17.2 mg/dl to 15.2 mg/dl after 24 hours, to 13.6 mg/dl after 48 hours, and to 10.1 mg/dl at the time of discharge. In control group, TSB was decreased from 17.0 mg/dl to 16.3 mg/dl after 24 hours, to 15.9 mg/dl after 48 hours, and to 10.3 mg/dl at the time of discharge. Conclusion: Treatment of neonatal unconjugated hyper- bilirubinemia with fenofibrate reduces neonatal bilirubin levels and decreases the need for phototherapy and hospitalization. JAFMC Bangladesh. Vol 15, No 1 (June) 2020: 35-38

Maternal Ambient Exposure to Atmospheric Pollutants during Pregnancy and Offspring Term Birth Weight in the Nationwide ELFE Cohort.

Background: Studies have reported associations between maternal exposure to atmospheric pollution and lower birth weight. However, the evidence is not consistent and uncertainties remain. We used advanced statistical approaches to robustly estimate the association of atmospheric pollutant exposure during specific pregnancy time windows with term birth weight (TBW) in a nationwide study. Methods: Among 13,334 women from the French Longitudinal Study of Children (ELFE) cohort, exposures to PM2.5, PM10 (particles < 2.5 µm and <10 µm) and NO2 (nitrogen dioxide) were estimated using a fine spatio-temporal exposure model. We used inverse probability scores and doubly robust methods in generalized additive models accounting for spatial autocorrelation to study the association of such exposures with TBW. Results: First trimester exposures were associated with an increased TBW. Second trimester exposures were associated with a decreased TBW by 17.1 g (95% CI, −26.8, −7.3) and by 18.0 g (−26.6, −9.4) for each 5 µg/m3 increase in PM2.5 and PM10, respectively, and by 15.9 g (−27.6, −4.2) for each 10 µg/m3 increase in NO2. Third trimester exposures (truncated at 37 gestational weeks) were associated with a decreased TBW by 48.1 g (−58.1, −38.0) for PM2.5, 38.1 g (−46.7, −29.6) for PM10 and 14.7 g (−25.3, −4.0) for NO2. Effects of pollutants on TBW were larger in rural areas. Conclusions: Our results support an adverse effect of air pollutant exposure on TBW. We highlighted a larger effect of air pollutants on TBW among women living in rural areas compared to women living in urban areas.

Birthweight associations with parental obesity: retrospective analysis of 1,778 singleton term births following assisted reproductive treatment

ObjectiveTo determine the association of combined parental preconception overweight and obesity on infant birthweight.DesignRetrospective study of fresh in vitro fertilization or intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles (2009–2017).SettingRepromed, South Australia, assisted reproductive technology clinic.PatientsCouples undergoing in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection insemination with their own gametes and transfer of a fresh single blastocyst (N = 1,778).Intervention(s)None.Main Outcome MeasuresParental body mass index (BMI) was recorded prior to cycle initiation. Infant birthweight was recorded at delivery. The impact of parental obesity and their interaction on first singleton term (≥37 weeks’ gestation) birthweight was assessed using linear regressions assessing nonlinearity and a pairwise linear interactions.ResultsIn the base model where parental BMI is assumed linear, there was strong evidence for higher birthweight with increasing maternal BMI (11.2 g per maternal kg/m2; 95% confidence interval, 7.2, 15.1) but not paternal BMI. The inclusion of a pairwise linear interaction indicated that paternal BMI attenuates the positive association between maternal BMI and infant birthweight (interaction −0.88; 95% confidence interval, −1.49, −0.27). The inclusion of nonlinear maternal BMI terms did not change the conclusions.ConclusionsIncreases in the mean infant birthweight associated with maternal obesity are attenuated when the father is obese. While maternal BMI contributed more to the mean infant birthweight than paternal BMI, a couple-centered approach to preconception health advice is recommended, given the documented relationships between parental obesity and childhood weight beyond infancy. Further studies in both assisted reproductive technology and general population cohorts assessing the parental BMI interaction on infant birthweight are warranted.

Term Birth Weight and Neurodevelopmental Outcomes.

Preterm birth is an important risk factor for neurodevelopmental disabilities. The vast majority of these disabilities occur, however, among term births. The role of fetal growth restriction specifically among term babies has been incompletely described. We conducted a population-based study of term birth weight and its link to a range of neurodevelopmental outcomes using Norwegian health registries. To remove the influence of preterm birth, we restricted our analyses to 1.8 million singleton babies born during a narrow range of term gestational age (39-41 weeks). Babies with malformations were excluded. We adjusted analyses simply for year of birth, as further adjustments for sex, parity, maternal age, smoking, marital status, immigrant status, and parental education had trivial influence. An additional sibling analysis controlled for unmeasured family-based confounding. The risk of neurodevelopmental disabilities at term steadily increased at birth weights lower than 3.5 kg. Using the category of 3.5-3.9 kg as the reference, the odds reached 25-fold for cerebral palsy at the smallest weights (95% confidence interval 8.0, 79), 16-fold for vision/hearing disability (4.0, 65), 11-fold for intellectual impairment (6.9, 17), 7-fold for schizophrenia (1.0, 50), 5.4-fold for epilepsy (2.6, 12), and 3.5-fold for autism spectrum (1.3, 9.4) and behavioral disorders including attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (2.1, 5.4). Associations remained robust with sibling controls. Reduced fetal growth is a powerful predictor of a wide variety of neurodevelopmental disabilities independent of preterm delivery.

The effect of prenatal temperature and PM2.5 exposure on birthweight: Weekly windows of exposure throughout the pregnancy

BackgroundBirthweight is a strong predictor of normal growth, healthy development, and survival. Several studies have found associations between temperature, fine particulate matter (PM2.5), and birth weight. However, the relevant timing of exposures varies between studies and is yet unclear. Therefore, we assessed the difference in term birthweight (TBW) associated with weekly exposure to temperature and PM2.5 throughout 37 weeks of gestation. MethodsWe included all singleton live term births in Massachusetts, U.S between 2004 and 2015 (n = 712,438). Weekly PM2.5 and temperature predictions were estimated on a 1 km grid from satellite-based models. We utilized a distributed lag nonlinear model (DLNM) to estimate the difference in TBW associated with weekly exposures from the last menstrual period to 37 weeks of gestation. ResultsWe found a nonlinear association with prenatal temperature exposure. Larger effects were observed in warmer temperatures, where higher temperatures were negatively associated with TBW. Temperature effects were larger in the first and final weeks of gestation. We observed a negative difference in TBW associated with PM2.5 exposure. Overall, a 1 µg/m3 increase in prenatal exposure was associated with 3.9 g lower TBW (95% CI −5.0 g; −2.9 g). PM2.5 effects were larger in the final weeks of gestation. ConclusionWe found heat and PM2.5 exposure to be related to lower TBW. Our findings suggest that women are more susceptible to both exposures towards the end of pregnancy. Susceptibility to heat was higher in the initial weeks of pregnancy as well. These critical windows of susceptibility can be communicated to pregnant women during routine prenatal visits to increase awareness and target interventions to reduce exposures.

Supplementary material - Maternal ambient exposure to atmospheric pollutants during pregnancy and offspring term birth weight in the nation-wide ELFE cohort

Supplementary material - Maternal ambient exposure to atmospheric pollutants during pregnancy and offspring term birth weight in the nation-wide ELFE cohort

THE EFFECT OF PREGNANCY NUTRITIONAL CONSUMPTION IN LOW BIRTH WEIGHT RISK: A NARRATIVE REVIEW

Low birth weight are conditions for babies born weighing less than 2500 grams. LBW is related to the nutrition of pregnant women obtained from the consumption of nutrition during pregnancy and nutrition of the mother before pregnancy. A well-nourished mother before and during pregnancy has a high probability of giving birth to a healthy baby, full term and normal birth weight. LBW is the highest predictor of infant mortality. The purpose of this literature is to determine how the influence of nutritional consumption of pregnant women on the risk of LBW. The method used is narrative review with the database used is Google Scholar, Pubmed and EBSCO. Keywords using Indonesian, pregnant women, low birth weight babies and English keywords, nutrients, pregnancy, low birth weight. Articles are sorted based on the author's critical analysis. There were 5 articles that explained that the nutritional consumption of pregnant women needs to pay attention to a proper diet and diet where the nutritional composition must be complete and sufficient so as to minimize the risk of LBW. The conclusion is that the consumption of nutrition of pregnant women with proper diet and diet can minimize LBW so that the recommendation for pregnant women is to fulfill the nutritional needs completely and adequately.