Pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and maternal gestational weight gain are positively associated with birth outcomes in rural Malawi.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Whereas poor maternal nutritional status before and during pregnancy is widely associated with adverse birth outcomes, studies quantifying this association in low income countries are scarce. We examined whether maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and weight gain during pregnancy are associated with birth outcomes in rural Malawi.

Methods

We analyzed the associations between pre-pregnancy BMI and average weekly gestational weight gain (WWG) and birth outcomes [duration of gestation, birth weight, length-for-age z-score (LAZ), and head circumference-for-age z-score (HCZ)]. We also determined whether women with low or high pre-pregnancy BMI or women with inadequate or excessive WWG were at increased risk of adverse birth outcomes.

Results

The analyse

SUBMITTER: Gondwe A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6198955 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature