Factors associated with size and proportionality at birth in term Jamaican infants.

The objective of this study was to identify the factors associated with size and proportionality at birth in a cohort of term infants established to investigate their growth and development. One hundred and forty term low-birth-weight (birth-weight < 2,500 g) infants and 94 normal birth-weight infants (2,500- < 4,000 g) were recruited within 48 hours of birth at the main maternity hospital, Kingston, Jamaica. Birth anthropometry and gestational age were measured, and maternal information was obtained by interview and from hospital records. Controlling for gestational age, variables independently associated with birth-weight were rate of weight gain in the second half of pregnancy, maternal height, haemoglobin level < 9.5 microg/dL, time of first attendance in antenatal clinic, birth order, pre-eclampsia, and consumption of alcohol, with 33% of the variance in birth-weight explained. Birth length was associated only with maternal height and age, while measures of proportionality (ponderal index and head/length ratio) were associated with characteristics of the environment in late pregnancy, including rate of weight gain, weight in late pregnancy, and pre-eclampsia. The variation in maternal characteristics associated with size or proportionality at birth may reflect the times during gestation when different aspects of growth are most affected.

Factors associated with term low birth weight at Victoria Jubilee Hospital

OBJECTIVES: To examine factors associated with low birth weight (LBW) in term infants as part of a longitudinal study on the effects of term LBW. METHODS: Term LBW and normal birth weight (NBW) infants were recruited from the Victoria Jubliee Hospital, Kingston, Jamaica, between March and October, 1999. All LBW infants meeting the recruitment criteria were enrolled. The next eligible NBW infant of the same gender was enrolled for two of every three LBW infants. Gestational age was determined by the Dubowitz method. Anthropometric measurements were made and a questionnaire administered to determine maternal characteristics and antenatal history. Maternal height was measured and socioeconomic status assessed at home one week later. RESULTS: A total of 234 term infants (140 LBW and 94 NBW) were enrolled. There were no significant differences between the groups in maternal age, height, education, occupation or socioeconomic status. Mothers who reported alcohol consumption during pregnancy were more likely to have a LBW infant (Odds Ratio (OR) 2.26; 95 percent CI 1.01, 5.05) LBW infants were more likely to be first born (OR 1.73; 95 percent CI 1.01, 2.97). Mothers who had a previous LBW infant were at increased risk of having another LBW infant (OR 4.89; 95 percent CI 2.21, 10.84). CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic factors did not distinguish mothers at the Victoria Jubliee Hospital, who were likely to have a term LBW infant. Primiparous mothers and mothers who have given birth to a previous LBW infant are at risk of having a LBW infant and need special attention during the antenatal period.(Au)