Maternal height and live birth outcome in a developing country - abstract

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to determine the association between maternal height and pregnanacy outcome in a developing country. Data collected during the 1986-87 islandwide Jamaica Perinatal Survey were analysed. During this survey, all mothers were interviewed at delivery and their heights measured and their babies were weighed and examined. Only the mothers who had live births with a recorded birth weight and gestational age were included in this study. This was necessary to categorize infants as low birth weight, growth retarded or preterm birth. The live birth outcomes are under investigation. Women who were less than 150 cm in height were at highest risk for all poor live birth outcomes, but women who were between 150 and 162 cm were also at significantly increased risk of poor live birth outcomes, when compared to women with a height of at least 165 cm. The odds ratios for delivery of a baby with low birth weight, growth retardation or pre-term birth were 2.8, 2.9 and 1.7 times greater, respectively, for shorter women (<150 cm) than for taller women (>165 cm). These were independent of socioeconomic factors. Maternal height represents a cheap, easy and accurate tool that can be used to describe women with a high risk of poor birth outcome (AU)