Determinants of birth size in Northeast Spain.

OBJECTIVE: To update knowledge on determinants of newborn body size in Northeast of Spain considering gestational, parental and socio-cultural variables. METHODS: Cross-sectional assessment of 1442 infants from Aragón (Spain), born at term between March 2009 and March 2010. Obstetric, neonatal, socio-demographic and parental anthropometry data were collected during the first infant scheduled health examination. Hierarchical linear regression models were used to explore associations between newborn anthropometry and included variables. RESULTS: Birth weight was significantly higher in males than in females (130.7 g), when mother did not smoke during pregnancy (126.3 g), in immigrant mothers (113.1 g) and when parity increased (67.1 g per additional birth). Body weight at birth was 16.9 g higher per kg of maternal weight gain during pregnancy, 5.4 g higher per kg of maternal pre-pregnancy weight and 5.1 g higher per cm of maternal height. Birth length was also significantly higher in males than in females (0.87 cm), when mother did not smoke (0.48 cm), in immigrant mothers (0.64 cm), and it was positively associated with parity, maternal anthropometry and paternal height. Newborn anthropometry was not associated with maternal age, educational level or living location. CONCLUSIONS: Independently of gestational age and newborn sex, the main predictors of birth weight and length were maternal pre-pregnancy anthropometry and weight gain during gestation, to smoke during pregnancy, parity and maternal origin. Our results identify potential modifiable factors influencing newborn body size.

Maternal active smoking and newborn body composition.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal smoking during pregnancy is associated with a reduction in birth size but very few studies have collated changes in neonatal anthropometry. Our aims were both to assess body composition differences by anthropometry between new-borns from smoking mothers and those from non-smoking mothers, and to show whether these differences affect proportional body mass distribution. METHODS: Caucasian mothers and their full term singleton new-borns (N=1216) were selected during 2009. A structured questionnaire was completed regarding obstetric and demographic data, as well as tobacco consumption. Women were categorized, according to their smoking habits, into a non-smoking group (never smoked or stopped smoking prior to pregnancy) and a smoking group (smoked throughout pregnancy). RESULTS: 22.1% of mothers smoked during pregnancy (median: 6 cigarettes/day, range: l-40). Smoking mothers were significantly younger than non-smoking mothers but there were no differences regarding other aspects which could affect infant weight. Infants from non-smoking mothers were heavier, longer, and body circumferences were all larger than those from smoking mothers (p<0.001), but the Ponderal Index showed no statistical differences. Skinfold thicknesses were significantly lower in new-borns from smoking mothers but these differences were less evident than those from body size. Subcutaneous fat distribution did not show statistical differences between the two groups. After gestational age, to smoke during gestation is the second main determinant of birth weight. CONCLUSIONS: Smoking during pregnancy involves a generalized reduction of most axiological parameters as a result of proportionate fetal growth impairment. In those infants born from mothers who smoked during gestation, neonatal lean body mass appears to be more affected than body fat, and distribution of subcutaneous fat is not different.

Skinfold measurements at birth: sex and anthropometric influence.

Weight, length, and skinfold thicknesses were measured in 4634 term and preterm neonates. Sex and weight/length ratio were important determinants of the amount and distribution of the subcutaneous fat store at birth. Gestational age, weight, length, and other ponderal indices did not explain subcutaneous fat variability.

Changes in body composition during the initial hours of life in breast-fed healthy term newborns.

Newborns usually lose 5-10% of their initial weight during the first 4 days of life. Our aim, using bioelectrical impedance (BI), was to study the body composition of healthy term newborns and the nature of the changes which accompany this physiological weight loss. Forty-three healthy term newborns, all with adequate weight for their gestational age, were studied during the first 3 days of life. Weight and BI were taken on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd days of life, always at the same time of the day. Total body water (TBW), percentage of total body mass hydration (%TBW), and amount of body solids were calculated. Average weight at birth was 3,297+/-381 g, length 50.04+/-1.75 cm, and gestational age 39.9+/-0.84 weeks. Weight, TBW, and body solids decreased progressively during the first 3 days of life (p<0.000). By day 3, weight loss represented 5.67+/-1.98% of birth weight, but %TBW increased slightly (1.72%; p<0.000). These results suggest that, during physiological weight loss, body composition modifications are produced in the term newborn by a decrease in TBW and loss of body solids. The level of body hydration increases slightly, since the loss of body solids is greater than the loss of TBW. The use of BI can help us in the study of body composition and the short- and/or long-term changes produced therein, in the newborn.

Congenital hemihypertrophy.

We present an isolated complete left hemihypertrophy in a girl with follow-up data from birth up to the age of 5 months.

[Brucellosis in children]. / Brucelosis infantil.

It has been studied in a series of 30 children affected of brucellosis, the most important epidemiologic, clinical and biologic characteristics. It has been emphasized the good response to the combined treatment of tetracycline and streptomycin.