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

Is the period of austerity in the UK associated with increased rates of adverse birth outcomes?

Hugely concerning changes to health outcomes have been observed in the UK since the early 2010s, including reductions in life expectancy and widening of inequalities. These have been attributed to UK Government 'austerity' policies which have profoundly affected poorer populations. Studies in mainland Europe have shown associations between austerity and increases in adverse birth outcomes such as low birthweight (LBW). The aim here was to establish whether the period of UK austerity was also associated with higher risks of such outcomes. We analysed all live births in Scotland between 1981 and 2019 (n = 2.3 million), examining outcomes of LBW, preterm birth (PB) and small-for-gestational-age (SGA). Descriptive trend analyses, segmented regression (to identify changes in trends) and logistic regression modelling (to compare risk of outcomes between time periods) were undertaken, stratified by infant sex and quintiles of socioeconomic deprivation. There were marked increases in LBW and PB rates in the austerity period, particularly in the most deprived areas. However, rates of SGA decreased, suggesting prematurity as the main driver of LBW rather than intrauterine growth restriction. The regression analyses confirmed these results: trends in LBW and PB changed within 1-3 years of the period in which austerity was first implemented, and that period was associated with higher risk of such outcomes in adjusted models. The results add to the European evidence base of worsening birth outcomes associated with austerity-related economic adversity. The newly elected UK government needs to understand the causes of these changes, and the future implications for child and adult health.

Social inequalities, advanced maternal age, and birth weight. Evidence from a population-based study in Spain

OBJECTIVE

To examine whether advanced maternal age (≥40 years) is linked to an increased likelihood of low or high birth weight among native and foreign-born mothers giving birth in Spain.

METHOD

A cross-sectional study was conducted using a novel database provided by the Spanish National Statistics Office which links the 2011 Census with information on individual births (2011-2015) from the Vital Statistics (Natural Movement of the Population). First, multinomial logistic regression models were used to estimate the potential association between maternal age and the likelihood of having a baby with low or high birth weight. Second, average adjusted predictions of giving birth to children with low, high, and adequate weight for the origin and the maternal age at birth were also calculated.

RESULTS

Findings indicate that women with advanced maternal age showed an increased probability of giving birth to low birth weight infants. Conversely, mothers aged below <30 years had an elevated risk for high birth weight infants. When considering maternal migratory status, the findings were mixed. On one hand, foreign-born mothers showed a higher likelihood of delivering infants with high birth weight; on the other, they displayed a lower risk of low birth weight among newborns in comparison to Spanish natives.

CONCLUSIONS

The study addresses two key aspects. First, it highlights the increased risk of low birth weight in mothers delivering at an advanced age. Second, it emphasizes the importance of accounting for maternal migratory status when investigating the association between age at birth and birth weight outcomes among immigrant mothers.

Long-term impacts of an early childhood shock on human capital: Evidence from the 1999 economic crisis in Ecuador

This paper provides evidence on the lasting effects of the 1999 economic crisis in Ecuador on human capital formation. We show for children born during the crisis that the negative repercussions are still observable more than 10 years after macroeconomic recovery. Taking advantage of micro-level data collected in 2012 and 2014, we assess long-term impacts on health and education. After controlling for age-in-months and survey effects as well as a linear birth year-cohort trend that varies by region, we find that after 12-16 years, the cohorts born during the recession report height-for-age Z-scores that are 0.003 standard deviations (SDs) lower for each month of exposure and have 0.002 fewer years of schooling per month exposed compared to the cohorts born outside the recession years. Children exposed to the entire crisis are 0.063 SDs smaller and have 0.042 years less of schooling. Girls have lower health outcomes than boys. Concomitantly, we show that selective childbearing or excess infant mortality are unlikely to drive our results. The persistence of the negative effects points to the existence of a poverty trap suggesting that policy interventions in response to (economic) crizes should be extended beyond macroeconomic recovery to counteract long-term, micro-level consequences.

Health of neonates born in the maternity hospital in Bern, Switzerland, 1880-1900 and 1914-1922

The identification of factors impeding normal fetal development and growth is crucial for improving neonatal health. Historical studies are relevant because they show which parameters have influenced neonatal health in the past in order to better understand the present. We studied temporal changes of neonatal health outcomes (birth weight, gestational age, stillbirth rate) and the influence of different cofactors in two time periods. Moreover, we investigated particularly neonatal health in the wake of the 1918/19 influenza pandemic. Data were transcribed from the Bern Maternity Hospital and consists of two time periods: A) The years 1880, 1885, 1890, 1895 and 1900 (N = 1530, births' coverage 20%); B) The years 1914-1922 (N = 6924, births' coverage 40-50%). Linear regression models were used to estimate the effect of birth year on birth weight, and logistic regression models to estimate the effect of birth year and of the exposure to the pandemic on premature birth, stillborn and low birth weight (LBW). Mean birth weight increased only minimally between the two datasets; whereas, in the years 1914-1922, the preterm birth and stillbirth rates were markedly reduced compared with the years 1880-1900. Sex, parity, gestational age and maternal age were significantly associated with birth weight in both time periods. The probability of LBW was significantly increased in 1918 (OR 1.49 (95% CI 1.00-2.23)) and in 1919 (OR 1.55 (95% CI 1.02-2.36)) compared to 1914. Mothers who were heavily exposed to the influenza pandemic during pregnancy had a higher risk of stillbirth (OR 2.27 (95% CI 1.32-3.9)). This study demonstrated that factors influencing neonatal health are multifactorial but similar in both time periods. Moreover, the exposure to the 1918/19 pandemic was less associated with LBW and more associated with an increased risk of stillbirth. If this trend is confirmed by further studies, it could indicate some consistency across pandemics, as similar patterns have recently been shown for COVID-19.

Does unemployment worsen babies' health? A tale of siblings, maternal behaviour, and selection

We study in-utero exposure to economic fluctuations on birth outcomes by exploiting geographical variation in the unemployment rate across local areas in England, and by comparing siblings born to the same mother. Using rich individual data from hospital administrative records for 2003-2012, babies' health is found to be strongly pro-cyclical. This overall result masks marked differences between babies born in the most affluent areas whose health at birth improves in a recession, and babies born in the average-to-lowest income deprived areas whose health deteriorates. Maternal alcohol consumption, smoking, and delay in the first antenatal care assessment - combined with parental income loss, are found to drive the results. While differences in maternal risky behaviours can explain the heterogenous effects.

Fear, violence, inequality, and stunting in Guatemala

BACKGROUND

Stunting is defined by the public health community as a length- or height-for-age <-2 SD of a growth standard or reference and is claimed to be caused by poor nutrition, repeated infection, and inadequate psychosocial stimulation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Stunting is common at all income levels in middle- and low-income countries. At the higher income levels, stunting is unlikely to be caused by nutrient deficiency or infectious disease.

RESULTS

In Guatemala, 17% of <5-year-olds in the highest family income quintile are stunted. Guatemala has a history of violence from armed conflict, current-day social and economic inequalities, government corruption, and threat of kidnapping for the wealthiest families.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

The high level of persistent violence creates an ecology of fear, an extreme range of inequalities in Social-Economic-Political-Emotional resources, and biosocial stress that inhibits skeletal growth and causes stunting for people of all income levels.

Pregnancy Outcome during the First COVID 19 Lockdown in Vienna, Austria

The COVID 19 pandemic represents a major stress factor for non-infected pregnant women. Although maternal stress during pregnancy increases the risk of preterm birth and intrauterine growth restriction, an increasing number of studies yielded no negative effects of COVID 19 lockdowns on pregnancy outcome. The present study focused on pregnancy outcome during the first COVID 19 lockdown phase in Austria. In particular, it was hypothesized that the national lockdown had no negative effects on birth weight, low birth weight rate and preterm birth rate. In a retrospective medical record-based single center study, the outcome of 669 singleton live births in Vienna Austria during the lockdown phase between March and July 2020 was compared with the pregnancy outcome of 277 live births at the same hospital during the pre-lockdown months of January and February 2020 and, in addition, with the outcome of 28,807 live births between 2005 and 2019. The rate of very low gestational age was significantly lower during the lockdown phase than during the pre-lockdown phase. The rate of low gestational age, however, was slightly higher during the lockdown phase. Mean birth weight was significantly higher during the lockdown phase; the rates of low birth weight, very low birth weight and extremely low birth weight were significantly lower during the lockdown phase. In contrast, maternal gestational weight gain was significantly higher during the lockdown phase. The stressful lockdown phase in Austria seems to have no negative affect on gestational length and newborn weight among non-infected mothers.

Low birth weight trends in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development countries, 2000-2015: economic, health system and demographic conditionings

BACKGROUND

Low birth weight rates are increasing in both developed and developing countries. Although several maternal factors have been identified as associated with low birth weight, little is known of economic or organization factors influencing this increase. This study aims to ascertain the twenty-first century relationships between the contextual country factors and low birth weight rates.

METHODS

We analyse trends of low birth weight rates in Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) countries. Data from 2000 to 2015 were obtained from the OECD data base. Their relationships with demographic and economic variables, health habits, woman-related preventive measures, health care system organization and funding, health care work force and obstetric care were analysed using random-effects linear regression.

RESULTS

Low birth weight rates are higher in Southern Europe (7.61%) and lower in Northern Europe (4.68%). Low birth weight rates escalated about 20% in Southern Europe and to less extent in Easter Europe (7%) and Asian/Oceanian countries, while remained stable in America, Central Europe and Northern Europe. Investment in health care, private health system coverage, ratios of paediatricians and obstetricians, average length of admission due to pregnancy or birth and Caesarean section rate were associated with higher low birth weight rates. Factors associated with lower low birth weight rates were health care coverage, public health system coverage, hospitals per million inhabitants, and ratios of health care workers, physicians, midwives and nurses.

CONCLUSIONS

In OECD countries, LBW rates are related to contextual country characteristics such as GDP per capita, which is inversely related to LBW rate. Health care system factors, including health care coverage or investment in public health system, are directly associated with lower LBW rates.

Impact of World War 1 on placenta weight, birth weight and other anthropometric parameters of neonatal health

BACKGROUND

Wars do not only affect combatant countries, populations in neutral zones can be afflicted by circumjacent conflicts as well, posing a great health burden on mothers and newborns. As neonatal health remains an ongoing cause for concern, identifying determinants that impede fetal growth is crucial. Under this pretext, the study aimed to analyze the impact of World War 1 in the neutral city of Basel on neonatal health by assessing changes in anthropometric parameters.

METHODS

A retrospective analysis of yearly cross sections of term births in the maternity hospital of Basel from 1912 to 1923 was conducted (n = 3718). We tested adjusted anthropometry for time trends in comparison to a pre-war baseline, including birth weight, placenta weight, birth length, ponderal index and gestational age. Interrelations of placenta weights and birth weights were examined separately through birth weight to placenta weight (BW/PW) ratios and residuals of placenta weight to birth weight regressions.

RESULTS

Birth weights, placenta weights and residuals were at their lowest in 1918/19, a trend not reflected in BW/PW ratios. Birth lengths remained low while ponderal indexes declined during the entire period of war, gestational age remained rather stable.

DISCUSSION

1918/19 were the pinnacle years for the population of Basel, who were suffering from general detrimental economic conditions, a food supply crisis and an outbreak of the Spanish Flu. These adverse circumstances coincided with low birth and placenta weights, residuals depicting the correlation of birth weights to placental weights more closely than bw/pw ratios.

Socioeconomic Inequalities in Small-for-Gestational-Age Births Before and During the Economic Crisis: An Ecologic Study of Trends in 13 Spanish Cities

Economic recessions can increase socioeconomic inequalities in health. The objective of this study was to analyze socioeconomic inequalities in small-for-gestational-age (SGA) births before and during the Spanish economic crisis. We conducted an ecological study of trends based on 2 periods before the crisis (1999-2003 and 2004-2008) and another during the crisis (2009-2013). The study population was Spanish women resident in 13 cities who had given birth during 1999-2013. The prevalence of SGA was calculated for each census tract. A hierarchical Bayesian model was used to obtain the prevalence ratio (PR) and 95% credible intervals (CI). We analyzed the association between SGA and socioeconomic deprivation in each period for each city and for 3 age groups. The PR was above 1 and statistically significant for all 3 time periods in most of the 13 cities. The differences in PR between periods were only statistically significant for Madrid (PR = 1.56, 95% CI 1.48-1.65 for 1999-2003; PR = 1.28, 95% CI 1.19-1.38 for 2004-2008) and Barcelona (PR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.87-1.12 for 2004-2008; PR = 1.20, 95% CI 1.05-1.36 for 2009-2013). Socioeconomic inequalities in SGA births in small areas (census tracts) of most Spanish cities studied remained stable before and during the economic crisis.

Low birthweight prevalence among Spanish women during the economic crisis: differences by parity

Previous studies have demonstrated a negative, significant impact on birthweight associated with the current economic crisis in Spain, which has also been reported for other European countries. Effects by parity are not known. Our aim is to compare the trends in low birthweight (LBW) by parity in Spain from 1996 to 2016. Using the National Vital Statistics data, joinpoint regression analysis was used to identify the time periods of significant changes in the prevalence of LBW by parity. Adjusted relative risk (RR) of LBW by year of birth was calculated in order to confirm that the time trend differences in LBW by parity were independent of possible confounders. The prevalence of LBW among live births to primiparous increased from 5.12% to 6.87% in 2008 and then stabilised at maximum values, while among live births to multiparous LBW increased from 3.96% to a maximum of 5.20% and then significantly reduced. Trends in adjusted RR of LBW by parity confirm that primiparous and multiparous were affected differently by the economic crisis. Older, nulliparous women may have felt more biosocial pressure to reproduce during the economic crisis, compared to women who were already mothers. This biosocial pressure may have increased the risks for LBW.

Impact of economic crises on offspring health and the developmental origins of health and disease concept

There is emerging evidence that economic crises may impact long-term health. Furthermore, adversity experienced by women and their offspring might be transmitted to next generations. The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) approach emphasises the importance of early life events for the state of health and risk for disease later in life. In this review, we discuss current evidence on the possible impact of economic crises on offspring health through the DOHaD framework and highlight the importance of critical periods of development for future disease risk. Therefore, successful interventions should prioritise strategies that address early life risk factors.

Evaluation of the Biases in the Studies that Assess the Effects of the Great Recession on Health. A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

Our main objective was to evaluate the fundamental biases detected in studies assessing the effects the Great Recession had on health for the case of Spain. As secondary objectives we presented methods to control these biases and to discuss the results of the studies in question if they had controlled for them.

METHODS

We carried out a systematic review of the literature published up to June 2018. We evaluated the biases that could have happened in all the eligible studies.

RESULTS

From the review, we finally selected 53 studies. Of the studies we reviewed, 60.38% or 32 out of 53, were evaluated as having a high risk of bias. The main biases our review revealed were problems with evaluation, time bias, lack of control of unobserved confounding, and non-exogeneity when defining the onset of the Great Recession.

CONCLUSIONS

The results from the studies that controlled the biases were quite consistent. Summing up, the studies reviewed found that the Great Recession increased the risk of declaring poor self-rated health and the deterioration of mental health. Both the mortality rate and the suicide rate may well have increased after the Great Recession, probably after a three- to four-year delay.

Trends in sociodemographic and health care factors in Portuguese and non-Portuguese mothers giving birth in Portugal, 1995-2014

BACKGROUND

Time-trend disparity in adverse pregnancy outcomes according to maternal nationality or immigration status has been well documented. In this study, we investigated time changes in individual-level risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes that have not been given the needed attention.

OBJECTIVE

To compare 20-year trends in sociodemographic, obstetric, health care factors, and adverse pregnancy outcomes in Portuguese and non-Portuguese women.

METHODS

We studied 2 105 497 livebirths from Portuguese national birth registry (1995-2014). We compared maternal sociodemographic characteristics (age, education, employment, and marital status), obstetric, and health care factors (parity, number of foetuses, place and type of delivery) in Portuguese and non-Portuguese at four periods (1995-1999, 2000-2004, 2005-09, and 2010-2014). Time-trend analysis using joinpoint regression method was performed to identify trends (joinpoints) and compare time changes in the prevalence of sociodemographic, obstetric, and health care factors expressed as annual percentage change (APC).

RESULTS

The proportion of livebirths in non-Portuguese mothers increased between 1995 and 1999 (2.9%), 2000-2004 (6.3%), 2005-2009 (9.5%), and 2010-2014 (9.8%). The proportion of women aged ≥ 35 years among Portuguese mothers varied from 11.1% (1995-1999), 14.4% (2000-2004), 18.6% (2005-2009) to 25.5% (2010-2014); among non-Portuguese women, the corresponding proportions were 15.7% (1995-1999), 14.6% (2000-2004), 16.1% (2005-2009), and 19.0% (2010-2014), respectively. The rate of change in maternal age ≥ 35 years had 2 joinpoints in both Portuguese (APC = 6.5%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 6.2, 6.9; 2005-2014) and non-Portuguese (3.3%, 95% CI 2.5, 4.0; 2002-2014). Increase in caesarean rate was higher for non-Portuguese (24.0%-36.1%) than the Portuguese (30.6%-31.6%) between 1995 and 2014.

CONCLUSIONS

Sociodemographic, obstetric, and health care factors have divergent time trends and rate of change for Portuguese and non-Portuguese.

Poor mothers, unhealthy children: the transmission of health inequalities in the INMA study, Spain

BACKGROUND

The health of pregnant women and their fetuses are especially sensitive to socioeconomic conditions. This study analyzes the impact of maternal socioeconomic status (SES), evaluated by occupation and maternal education level, in preterm births (PTBs) and in small for gestational age (SGA) fetuses, considering the effect of the potential mediating factors on the SES and birth outcomes.

METHODS

A total of 2497 mother/newborn dyads from the INMA-Spain project were studied. We examined maternal occupation and education in relation to PTB and SGA along with covariate data, using logistic regression analysis. Adjusted models for each of the outcome variables in relation to SES indicators were estimated, considering potential mediating factors.

RESULTS

About 4.7% of babies were PTB and 9.7% SGA. Full adjusted logistic regression models showed similar odds ratio (OR) for SGA in both SES indicators. Manual working women or without university studies had higher risk of SGA than their counterpart groups (OR = 1.39% CI = 1.03-1.88 and OR = 1.39% CI = 1.00-2.00, respectively). Likewise, mothers with a manual occupation were at more risk of PTB than those with a non-manual occupation (OR = 1.74 95% CI = 1.13-2.74), but there was no association between education and PTB. Smoking, pre-pregnancy BMI and underweight gain during pregnancy were significantly associated to SGA births. The mother's age, presence of complications and overweight gain during pregnancy were related to PTB.

CONCLUSION

The mother's socioeconomic disadvantage was consistently associated with birth outcomes giving rise to intergenerational transmission of health inequalities. Reducing inequalities requires eliminating the upstream causes of poverty itself.

Adverse effect of the financial crisis in Greece on perinatal factors

Background

Starting in 2008 recession affected many European countries and especially Greece. Previous studies have reported increases in low birth weight, preterm birth and stillbirth rates in Greece during early crisis. In our study we used data on births from 1980 to 2014 that allowed us to distinguish recent changes, which could possibly be attributed to the financial crisis, from long term trends, and controlled for maternal age and country of origin as potential confounders. Our study covered a longer period (up to 2014) than what has been studied before and looked separately at the effect of early and established crisis.

Methods

We used national vital statistics data from 1980 to 2014. We performed age standardization and calculated age standardized rates and standardized rate ratios (SRRs) for perinatal factors for three time periods (pre-crisis, early crisis and established crisis) for Greek and non-Greek women.

Results

We found an increase in low birth weight deliveries independent of maternal age and origin and an increased stillbirth rate in Greek women younger than 25 in early (RR = 1.42 95%CI: 1.12-1.80) and established crisis periods (RR = 1.36 95%CI: 1.07-1.72) compared with pre-crisis. Non-Greek women have also been affected, with their advantage regarding birth outcomes becoming less profound in the established crisis period (low birth weight: established crisis SRR = 0.84 95%CI: 0.82-0.87, pre-crisis SRR = 0.79 95% CI: 0.76- 0.81).

Conclusions

The financial crisis has possibly adversely affected perinatal factors in Greece. Our results highlight the need of appropriate public health interventions and family support policies, especially for younger people, unemployed and immigrants.

Trends in social determinants of child health and perinatal outcomes in European countries 2005-2015 by level of austerity imposed by governments: a repeat cross-sectional analysis of routinely available data

OBJECTIVE

To assess whether the level of austerity implemented by national governments was associated with adverse trends in perinatal outcomes and the social determinants of children's health (SDCH) in rich countries DESIGN: Longitudinal ecological study of country-level time trends in perinatal outcomes and SDCH and from 2005 to 2015.

SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS

16 European countries using available data from the International Monetary Fund, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development and Eurostat.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Trends in perinatal outcomes (low birth weight (LBW); infant mortality) and the SDCH: child poverty rates; severe material deprivation in families with primary education; preschool investment in three time periods: 2005-2007, 2008-2010 and 2012-2015. Outcomes were compared according to the cyclically adjusted primary balance (CAPB, differences between 2013 and 2009) as a measure of austerity, stratified in tertiles. Generalised estimating equation models of repeated measures were used to assess time trend differences in three periods.

RESULTS

Countries with higher levels of austerity had worse outcomes, mainly at the last study period. Material deprivation increased during the period 2012-2015 in those countries with higher CAPB (interaction CAPB-period 2012-2015, B: 5.62: p<0.001), as did LBW (interaction CAPB-period 2012-2015, B: 0.25; p=0.004).

CONCLUSIONS

Countries that implemented more severe austerity measures have experienced increasing LBW, and for families with primary education also increasing material deprivation, worsening the negative impact of economic crisis. Reversing austerity policies that impact children is likely to improve child health outcomes.

Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes: A Comparison of Risk Factors and Prevalence in Native and Migrant Mothers of Portuguese Generation XXI Birth Cohort

Epidemiological studies report conflicting findings regarding association between maternal immigration status and pregnancy outcomes. In this study we compared risk factors and prevalence of adverse pregnancy outcomes in native Portuguese and migrants. Cross-sectional analysis was conducted using information collected at delivery from the participants of Generation XXI birth cohort. Logistic regression models were fitted to assess the association between migrant status and adverse pregnancy outcomes. Prevalence of risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes varied between native Portuguese and migrants: teenage mothers (5.6 and 2.0%), primiparae (57.1 and 63.9%), smoking during pregnancy (23.0 and 19.1%), twins (3.2 and 8.0%), and caesarean section (35.2 and 45.7%). Among singleton births, prevalence of low birthweight, preterm birth and small for gestational age were 7.3 and 3.9%, 7.5 and 6.2%, and 15.1 and 7.6%, respectively for native Portuguese and migrants. The native Portuguese had an adjusted significantly higher risk of low birthweight (OR 2.67, 95% CI 1.30, 5.48) and small for gestational age (OR 2.01, 95% CI 1.26, 3.21), but a similar risk for preterm birth (OR 1.38, 95% CI 0.81, 2, 34). Migrant mothers presented a lower risk of low birthweight and small for gestation and data suggest a healthy immigrant effect.

Trends in small-for-gestational age before and after the economic crisis in Spain

The aim of this study was to evaluate trends in small-for-gestational age covering the period before and after the Spanish economic crisis, taking into account mother's age, nationality and the autonomous community where she resides. We performed a trend study including children born to fertile women in Spain between 2002 and 2013. Poisson mixed models showed that the prevalence of small-for-gestational age increased following the onset of the crisis, and that a previous downward trend was interrupted.

The impact of delayed maternity on foetal growth in Spain: An assessment by population attributable fraction

BACKGROUND

Delayed childbearing is considered a risk factor for maternal-foetal health. As in other higher-income countries, in Spain age at maternity has steadily increased during the last two decades.

AIM

To quantify the impact of the delay in the age at maternity on small for gestational age (SGA) categories of <3rd, 3rd-5th and 5th-10th percentiles.

METHODS

2,672,350 singleton live births born to Spanish mothers in 2007-2015 were analysed. Adjusted relative risk was calculated to estimate the adjusted partial population attributable fractions (PAF_p) for mothers aged 35-39 and ≥40 years for each category of SGA considering the interaction between age at maternity and parity.

FINDINGS

Primipara 35-39 years old mothers have the highest PAF_p in the three categories of SGA, with the maximum value for SGA <3rd percentile (2.57%, 95% CI 2.25, 2.88). PAF_p for both primipara and multipara ≥40 years old mothers were less than 1%. PAF_p for primipara older mothers increased significantly in 2007-2015 for the three categories of SGA, more clearly among those aged 35-39 years. The contribution of multipara mothers of both age groups did not increase significantly during the period.

CONCLUSION

Delayed maternity is a significant adjusted risk factor for SGA, contributing to the increase of its prevalence. However, results also suggest a limited clinical impact of delayed maternity on foetal growth. Positive changes in maternal profile associated with the shift in maternal age might contribute to explain the limited impact of mothers aged 35 years and older on negative birth outcome in Spain.

New birthweight charts according to parity and type of delivery for the Spanish population

OBJECTIVE

Birthweight by gestational age charts enable fetal growth to be evaluated in a specific population. Given that maternal profile and obstetric practice have undergone a remarkable change over the past few decades in Spain, this paper presents new Spanish reference percentile charts stratified by gender, parity and type of delivery. They have been prepared with data from the 2010-2014 period of the Spanish Birth Statistics Bulletin.

METHODS

Reference charts have been prepared using the LMS method, corresponding to 1,428,769 single, live births born to Spanish mothers. Percentile values and mean birth weight are compared among newborns according to gender, parity and type of delivery.

RESULTS

Newborns to primiparous mothers show significantly lower birthweight than those born to multiparous mothers (p<0.036). Caesarean section was associated with a substantially lower birthweight in preterm births (p<0.048), and with a substantially higher birthweight for full-term deliveries (p<0.030). Prevalence of small for gestational age is significantly higher in newborns born by Caesarean section, both in primiparous (p<0.08) and multiparous mothers (p<0.027) and, conversely, the prevalence of large for gestational age among full-term births is again greater both in primiparous (p<0.035) and in multiparous mothers (p<0.007).

CONCLUSIONS

Results support the consideration of establishing parity and type of delivery-specific birthweight references. These new charts enable a better evaluation of the impact of the demographic, reproductive and obstetric trends currently in Spain on fetal growth.