Determinants of Infant Birthweight

Koh, Kyung Sim

Abstract

PURPOSE
To examine the association between gestational weight gain pattern and infant birth weight and to analyse the determinant factors for infant birthweight.
METHODS
We used data collected from 937 pregnant women delivered without complications in Dankook University Hospital from December 1994 to October 1995. Using multiple regression analysis we investigated the determinant, factors for infant birthweight.
RESULTS
The mean pre-pregnancy weight, the mean height and pre-pregnancy body mass index of objects was 52.5 kg, 159 cm and 20.8 kg/m, respectively. The total gestational weight gain was 12.9 kg and the mean infant birthweight was 3,165 g with mean gestational age of 38 weeks. Multiparous mother was older, heavier in pre-pregnancy body weight, higher in pre-pregnancy body mass index than primiparous mother, and shows less gestational weight gain than primiparous mother. According to the IOM guidelines, we classified objects into groups of the Under-gain, the Recommended gain and the Over-gain. The Under-gain groupshows less infant birthweight and had more small-for-gestational age infants than other groups. The Over-gain group had more large-for-gestational age infants than other groups. 'I'he major determinant factors for infant birthweight were gestational age, placental weight, gestational weight gain, pre-pregnancy body mass index, infant sex, parity and maternal height.
CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that we must focus to check the gestational weight gain and the maternal nutritional status to ensure the adequate infant birthweight for prenatal care. To evaluate the infant birthweight, we must consider gestational weight gain, pre -pregnancy body mass index, infant sex, parity and maternal height including gestational age.