The relative contribution of different maternal factors in large-for-gestational-age pregnancies

Abstract

Relative and attributable risks were calculated to assess the potency of different maternal factors associated with large-for-gestational age (LGA) babies in individuals and in the population as a whole. In multiparous women the most important factor was the fast fetal growth rate demonstrated in previous pregnancies. Non-smoking also made a large contribution to the LGA population (43.65%) and the risk to individual patients was doubled. The relative risk for height steadily rose with increasing stature, but the effect was much more marked for weight. Heavy women made a considerable contribution to the LGA population (26%) and the effect of increasing weight is such that very heavy women (more than +2 SD) are nine times more likely to have an LGA baby than those of average weight. The relative risk also rose sharply with increasing parity. Nevertheless, 27.5% women in our LGA group were having their first baby. The possibility that a very obese non-smoking primiparous woman may be bearing a very large baby should not be overlooked.

Effects of Maternal Gestational Diabetes and Adiposity on Neonatal Adiposity and Blood Pressure

“…A number of studies have shown a relationship between body habitus and birth weight (18)(19)(20)(21). Maternal adiposity (BMI) and maternal weight gain both correlated with infant adiposity for both GDM and control pregnancies, supporting our first hypothesis.…”

Growth Patterns of Large-for-Gestational-Age and Appropriate-for-Gestational-Age Infants of Gestational Diabetic Mothers and Control Mothers at Age 1 Year

“…C O N C L U S I O N S -A number of investigators have established the significance of maternal anthropometric status on newborn macrosomia (28)(29)(30)(31)(32). The followup anthropometric data in the current study supported our hypothesis that LGA IGDMs have increased central adiposity, including increased abdominal skinfold thickness and waist circumference at age 1 year, compared with all three study groups.…”

Relationship between birth weight and adult lung function: controlling for maternal factors

“…Maternal height and body mass index have significant independent effects on birth weight. 6 7 Campbell et al reported that birth weight is not normally distributed at each week of gestation and that standardisation for parity, gestation, and sex of the baby is essential in any study looking at long term effects of differences in fetal growth. 8 This procedure controls for factors that can predetermine the weight of a baby, independent of an adverse fetal environment.…”