Could elective cesarean sections influence the birth weight of full-term infants?

Prevalence and Factors Associated with Low Birth Weight and Preterm Delivery in the Ho Municipality of Ghana

Background. Low birth weight and preterm delivery are birth outcomes that can predict newborns’ survival, development, and long-term health outcomes. This study assessed the prevalence and factors associated with low birth weight and preterm delivery in the Ho Municipality of Ghana. Methods. This retrospective, cross-sectional study analysed data from 680 birth records between October and December 2018. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models predicted low birth weight and preterm delivery factors. Results. The prevalence of low birth weight and preterm delivery was 12.9% and 14.1%, respectively. Increasing maternal age (AOR: 0.52; 95% CI: 0.28–0.98), multiparity (AOR: 0.54; 95% CI: 0.30–0.94) and increasing doses of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (AOR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.22–0.84) significantly reduced the odds of low birth weight. However, caesarean section (AOR: 1.94; 95% CI: 0.1.16–3.27) and hypertension (AOR: 2.06; 95% CI: 1.27–03.33) significantly increased the likelihood of low birth weight. An increasing number of antenatal care visits (AOR: 0.38; 95% CI: 0.18–0.80) and doses of sulphadoxine-pyrimethamine (AOR: 0.43; 95% CI: 0.19–0.97) were significantly associated with decreased odds of preterm delivery, while caesarean section increased the odds of preterm delivery by two folds (AOR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.15–3.99). Conclusion. This study shows that maternal age, parity, number of antenatal care visits, hypertension, SP/IPTp, and caesarean section were independently associated with low birth weight and preterm delivery. Education and interventions should be prioritised as vitally important on these factors to reduce the risk and complications associated with these birth outcomes.

Antenatal Care Attendance and Factors Influenced Birth Weight of Babies Born between June 2017 and May 2018 in the Wa East District, Ghana

Background

In sub-Saharan Africa, there is high coverage of the recommended four or more times antenatal care (ANC) visits during pregnancy without complications; notwithstanding this achievement, the negative birth outcomes related to childbirth such as low birth weights and stillbirths are still high despite the increased access to antenatal services. Hence, the study assessed the association between antenatal attendance and birth weight in the Wa East District.

Method

The cross-sectional study design was used with a semistructured questionnaire to collect data from mothers who delivered within a one-year period through a review of antenatal and birth records from health facilities where the women delivered and interviewed. The chi-squared test and univariate and multivariate logistic regression were performed to establish the association between normal birth weight and ANC services the woman received and other predictor variables, and p value < 0.05 was considered a significant association between dependent and independent variables.

Result

The study involved 233 women. About 62.2% attended ANC clinics 4+ times before giving birth, 70.0% did not received the minimum ANC services required for every pregnant woman, 0.9% of pregnancies resulted in stillbirth, and 24.5% of babies born had a birth weight < 2.5 kg. Women marital status (legally married) [AOR: 2.05, 95% CI: 1.33-6.89, p = 0.044], religion (Islam) [AOR: 0.33, 95% CI: 0.08-0.39, p = 0.013], and educational level (SHS/tertiary) [AOR: 4.27, 95% CI: 0.08-0.88, p = 0.031] were the background characteristics associated with normal birth weight (2.5-40 kg). Also, women who had their urine tested at the ANC clinics [AOR: 6.59, 95% CI: 8.48–15.07, p < 0.001] and women who received a long-lasting insecticide-treated net [AOR: 2.17, 95% CI: 0.03-0.92, p = 0.039] from the ANC clinic were associated with normal birth weight.

Conclusion

Notwithstanding the benefits of antenatal care services, only 62.2% of pregnant women attended 4 or more ANC visits before giving birth, while 70% did not received the services they need. These might have influence the 24.5% of babies born with a low birth weight. Therefore, there is a need for special attention from all stakeholders to reverse the trend.

Modeling Pathways From the Perinatal Factors to the Vascular Risk Phenotype at the End of the Second Decade of Life: Birth Cohort, Brazil

Risk factors act around birth increasing future vascular risk. In this study, we analysed the pathways from perinatal factors to the vascular risk phenotype (VRP) in adolescents including indirect pathways mediated by obesity in adolescence. Data from a Brazilian cohort were collected at birth and at 18 to 19 years (follow-up). A theoretical model was constructed to analyze the association between variables at birth (socioeconomic status, prepregnancy body mass index, mother's age, history of maternal hypertension, maternal smoking, gestational age at birth, birth weight, sex, delivery type) and at follow-up (smoking and excess weight) with the VRP, using structural equation modeling. VRP was a continuous latent variable, representing the shared variance of blood pressure indictors and carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity. Males had higher VRP (standardized coefficient [SC], 0.561; P<0.001). Higher prepregnancy body mass index was associated with higher VRP (SC, 0.140; P=0.032). Gestational age <34 weeks had a total (SC, 0.259; P=0.002) and direct effect (SC, 0.354; P=0.018) on VRP. Cesarean delivery had a total effect, albeit borderline, on VRP (SC, 0.159; P=0.066). Excess weight at follow-up was the main determinant of a high VRP (SC, 0.470; P<0.001). Male sex, cesarean section, gestational age <34 weeks, pregestational excess weight, and excess weight in adolescents were associated with increased VRP at 18 to 19 years of age.

Factors Associated with Preterm Birth and Low Birth Weight in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates

Both preterm birth and low birth weight (LBW) represent major public health problems worldwide due to their association with the catastrophic effects of morbidity and mortality. Few data exist about such adverse pregnancy outcomes. The current study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with preterm birth and LBW among mothers of children under two years in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Data were collected in clinical and non-clinical settings across various geographical areas in Abu Dhabi. The data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistics. A total of 1610 mother–child pairs were included in the current study. Preterm birth rate was 102 (6.3%) with a 95% confidence interval [CI] (6.1%, 6.5%) and the LBW rate was 151 (9.4%) with a 95% CI (9.3%, 9.5%). The mean (SD) of gestational age (GA) and birth weight at delivery was 39.1 (1.9) weeks and 3080.3 (518.6) grams, respectively. Factors that were positively associated with preterm birth were Arab mothers, maternal education level below secondary, caesarean section, and LBW. LBW was associated with female children, caesarean section (CS), first child order, and preterm birth. The current study highlighted the need for further interventional research to tackle these public health issues such as reducing the high CS rate and improving maternal education.

Is the economic crisis affecting birth outcome in Spain? Evaluation of temporal trend in underweight at birth (2003-2012)

BACKGROUND

There is growing evidence of the impact of the current European economic crisis on health. In Spain, since 2008, there have been increasing levels of impoverishment and inequality, and important cuts in social services.

AIM

The objective is to evaluate the impact of the economic crisis on underweight at birth in Spain.

METHOD

Trends in underweight at birth were examined between 2003 and 2012. Underweight at birth is defined as a singleton, term neonatal weight lesser than -2 SD from the median weight at birth for each sex estimated by the WHO Standard Growth Reference. Using data from the Statistical Bulletin of Childbirth, 2 933 485 live births born to Spanish mothers have been analysed. Descriptive analysis, seasonal decomposition analysis and crude and adjusted logistic regression including individual maternal and foetal variables as well as exogenous economic indicators have been performed.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS

Results demonstrate a significant increase in the prevalence of underweight at birth from 2008. All maternal-foetal categories were affected, including those showing the lowest prevalence before the crisis. In the full adjusted logistic regression, year-on-year GDP per capita remains predictive on underweight at birth risk. Previous trends in maternal socio-demographic profiles and a direct impact of the crisis are discussed to explain the trends described.

Maternal age and low birth weight: a reinterpretation of their association under a demographic transition in southern Brazil

To evaluate the relationship between changes in fecundity rates and maternal age and the impact of maternal age on low birth weight (LBW) rates in a developed region in southern Brazil. A time series study evaluating birth weight and maternal ages through the born alive information system (SINASC) in Porto Alegre from 1996 to 2008. The Chi-square test for trends was used to evaluate the trend of LBW and fecundity rates at each maternal age. Population attributed risk (PAR) was used to calculate the impact of maternal age on LBW rates. The study included 271,100 newborns. There was a significant reduction in fecundity rates in all age groups younger than 34 years, but especially in the groups between 20 and 29 years. Overall LBW increased from 9.3 to 10.7 % (P < 0.001). The PAR for LBW showed a reduction in the group from 17 to 19 years (from 1.7 % in 1996-1999 to 0.1 % in 2004-2008), and an increase in the groups from 35 to 39 years (from 2.0 % in 1996-1999 to 2.3 % in 2004-2008) and above 40 (from 1.1 % in 1996-1999 to 1.5 % in 2004-2008). There was a significant change in fecundity pattern in the last 12 years in southern Brazil. Adolescent mothers were surpassed by mothers over 30 years of age in terms of vulnerability for LBW babies. The results show a change in the maternal age distribution towards older mothers, accompanied by an increasing incidence of LBW. This demographic transition also involved a paradoxical pattern with a remarkable reduction in fecundity rates in intermediate maternal age groups with concomitant increase in their risk for LBW.

Evolução da assistência materno-infantil e do peso ao nascer no Estado de Pernambuco em 1997 e 2006

Avaliar a evolução e a influência da assistência materno-infantil na variação do peso ao nascer no estado de Pernambuco. Os dados analisados provêm de duas pesquisas transversais da população de crianças menores de cinco anos, estudadas por inquéritos domiciliares em 1997 (n = 1906) e 2006 (n = 1555). A amostra foi calculada para assegurar a representatividade de dois estratos geoeconômicos: setores urbano e rural. Estudou-se a assistência ao pré-natal e parto e o peso ao nascer. Utilizou-se o teste do qui-quadrado para comparar as variáveis categóricas e calculou-se a diferença da média de peso ao nascer nos anos pesquisados, e os respectivos intervalos de confiança de 95%. Verificou-se importante melhora na assistência ao pré-natal e aumento do parto cesáreo. Houve uma redução significante de 112g na diferença da média de peso ao nascer no meio rural. Em 2006 o acesso a pelo menos 1 consulta de pré-natal ocorreu independente da escolaridade materna, no entanto, o acesso ao pré-natal mais adequado foi maior entre as mães de maior escolaridade, tanto em 1997, como em 2006. Apesar da expansão da assistência no pré-natal e no parto, o acesso iníquo, o excesso de intervenções médicas e o aumento da sobrevida de recém nascidos podem estar contribuindo para as variações da média de peso ao nascer no estado de Pernambuco.

Maternal Characteristics and Temporal Trends in Birth Outcomes: Comparison between Spanish and Migrant Mothers

Low birth weight and preterm babies have been increasing in Spain since 1980, coinciding with important changes in the social and demographic structure of childbearing populations—including the contribution of a 25% of foreign mothers—and with increasing medical intervention in births. This study, based on 5,990,613 births, compares the temporary trends in reproductive patterns and birth outcomes in Spanish and foreign mothers during the period 1996–2009 and evaluates for the years 2007 to 2009 the relative contribution of mother's origin and Caesarean section to birth weight variability. Foreign mothers maintain their own reproductive pattern, whereas negative birth outcomes increase in all groups. Results from logistic regression analysis show that besides late maternity and primiparity also Caesarean section increases the risk for low birth weight. The reduction in Caesarean section rates between 2007 and 2009 might explain the reduction of low birth weight detected. A change of tendency simultaneously appears in most maternal and newborn characteristics, and in the mode of delivery in all ethnic groups since 2008. Coincidence in the timing of the change of trends points to a common factor. We suggest that the current world financial crisis could be this common cause, a hypothesis to be contrasted in future research.

Associação entre via de parto e complicações maternas em hospital público da Grande São Paulo, Brasil

O estudo objetivou avaliar associação entre via de parto e complicações maternas. Realizou-se coorte retrospectiva com partos ocorridos durante o ano de 2003, em um hospital público. As complicações avaliadas foram: infecção, hemorragia, histerectomia, rotura uterina, lesão de órgão contíguo, trombose venosa profunda e embolia pulmonar. Utilizou-se a odds ratio (OR) e os testes de qui-quadrado de Pearson e de Fisher, além da regressão logística. Estabeleceu-se o nível de 0,05 como significante. Foram encontradas 15 complicações. Tomando-se o parto vaginal como referência, encontrou-se associação entre cesárea e as complicações tomadas em conjunto. Analisando-se variáveis confundidoras, encontrou-se associação das complicações com hipertensão, soropositividade para HIV, placenta prévia e descolamento prematuro de placenta. Após controle para estas quatro variáveis, manteve-se a associação entre cesárea e complicações (OR = 9,7; p = 0,04). Encontrou-se também associação entre complicações e cesárea eletiva comparada ao parto vaginal (OR = 4,7; p = 0,02), e maior proporção de complicações, no limite da significância estatística, nas cesáreas eletivas comparadas à "tentativa de parto vaginal" (OR = 3; p = 0,058). Conclui-se que a cesárea associa-se a complicações maternas, mesmo após a realização de vários ajustes.