Association between Short Maternal Height and Low Birth Weight: a Hospital-based Study in Japan

Anthropometry measurements, such as height and weight, have recently been used to predict poorer birth outcomes. However, the relationship between maternal height and birth outcomes remains unclear. We examined the effect of shorter maternal height on low birth weight (LBW) among 17,150 pairs of Japanese mothers and newborns. Data for this analysis were collected from newborns who were delivered at a large hospital in Japan. Maternal height was the exposure variable, and LBW and admission to the neonatal intensive care unit were the outcome variables. Logistic regression models were used to estimate the associations. The shortest maternal height quartile (131.0-151.9 cm) was related to LBW (OR 1.91 [95% CI 1.64, 2.22]). The groups with the second (152.0-157.9 cm) and the third shortest maternal height quartiles (158.0-160.9 cm) were also related to LBW. A P trend with one quartile change also showed a significant relationship. The relationship between maternal height and NICU admission disappeared when the statistical model was adjusted for LBW. A newborn's small size was one factor in the relationship between shorter maternal height and NICU admission. In developed countries, shorter mothers provide a useful prenatal target to anticipate and plan for LBW newborns and NICU admission.

An impact of great flood on health among victims in Thailand- a descriptive study based on emergency relief activities / 国際保健医療

<B>Introduction</B><BR>Floods are the most common natural disaster. Although infectious diseases are paid attention in flood settings, public health impact from other diseases has been rarely discussed. In Thailand, a large-scale flood disaster severely affected local people and the societies mainly in the North and Central regions due to unusual heavy rain in 2011. To provide information on health issues from a prolonged flood, we reported the health issues among the patients in several areas of Thailand where a flood lasted more than 1 month.<BR><B>Methods</B><BR>Data on the patients were extracted from records of the collaborated activities between two NGOs in Thailand and Japan in three areas of two provinces in the Central region at the end of November, 2011. The data on the venues were also abstracted: main stations for medical care in three areas and mobile clinics at evacuation centers (tent, temple, and school) in two areas. We evaluated distributions of health issues, and examined the characteristics of the distributions stratifying by place and patients' age.<BR><B>Results</B><BR>High prevalence was observed for muscle and joint pain, chronic diseases, and acute respiratory infections. Among patients with the infections, 96 % or more was those with upper respiratory infections. In the evacuation centers, the prevalence of acute respiratory infections was high (39 %) at school compared to that at other places. The prevalence of muscle and joint pain sharply increased among patients in their 30's, which was highest among those in their 40's and 50's.<BR><B>Conclusions</B><BR>Muscle and joint pain, chronic diseases, and acute respiratory infections were main issues in this flood setting. This study would provide information on potential health issues in the coming floods. Future research is needed to examine whether an occurrence of flood disaster could be associated with increased risk of muscle and joint pain.