An epidemiological survey on low birth weight infants in China and analysis of outcomes of full-term low birth weight infants

Abstract

BackgroundLow birth weight (LBW) is one of the leading causes of adverse perinatal outcomes and is closely related to neonatal disease and death. The incidence of LBW has been increasing. The aim of this study was to investigate the current incidence rate and factors affecting low birth weight infants and perinatal outcomes of full-term low birth weight infants in mainland China.MethodsThis paper describes a retrospective analysis of children born in 39 hospitals of different types in 14 different provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions in seven districts within China throughout 2011. The data were first collected in hardcopy format and then entered into computer network databases. Data covering a total of 112,441 cases were collected. Cases were excluded if data were incomplete and in the case of miscarriage before 24 weeks of gestation, multiple pregnancies, or induction of labor due to fetal malformation, intrauterine death, and other reasons, leaving a total of 101,163 cases. SPSS 18.0 and SAS 9.2 statistical packages were used to analyze the collected data.ResultsAccording to this research, the incidence of LBW in mainland China was 6.1%, which is higher than the 5.87% reported in 2000, and it varied across different areas. The incidence of LBW was significantly higher in tertiary care hospitals than in secondary care hospitals. LBW was found to be associated with maternal age of less than 20 years, low level of maternal education, previous histories of adverse pregnancies, and with pregnancy comorbidities and complications, such as hypertensive disorders during pregnancy, anemia, oligohydramnios, premature rupture of membranes, and gestational diabetes. The rates of stillbirths, severe neonatal asphyxia, and deaths among full-term LBW infants were 2.42%, 0.83%, and 3.49%, respectively. The rates of stillbirths and neonatal deaths among full-term LBW infants born by caesarean section were 0.5% and 1.0%, respectively, which was lower than vaginal delivery.ConclusionsThe incidence of LBW has increased in China. LBW is a leading cause of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Health care during pregnancy and management of high-risk factors for LBW may reduce the incidence of LWB and the death rate of LBW infants.

Maternal socioeconomic factors and adverse perinatal outcomes in two birth cohorts, 1997/98 and 2010, in São Luís, Brazil

“…In China, for example, there was a reversal over ten years; LBW was mainly caused by IUGR in 2000, but became mainly caused by PTB in 2011 [11][12][13] . In Pelotas, similar results from 1993 to 2004 were observed 14 .…”

“…In the year 2000 in China, 38.8% of LBW were due to PTB and 61.2% to IUGR, whereas in 2011 PTB had contributed to 69.6% of LBW and IUGR contributed to 30.4%. This change was attributed to improvements in the Chinese health system that have been occurring over the years 13 . In the city of Pelotas, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, similar changes were observed between 1993 and 2004, when PTB with LBW rates rose from 42.5 to 67.3% 14 .…”

“…Retardo do crescimento fetal. being higher in underdeveloped regions and lower in economically developed ones 13 . This same study showed that lower educational levels are associated with a greater risk of LBW.…”

“…In developed countries, PTB is responsible for the largest number of neonates with LBW. On the other hand, in developing countries, IUGR is the most important factor [11][12][13] . In the year 2000 in China, 38.8% of LBW were due to PTB and 61.2% to IUGR, whereas in 2011 PTB had contributed to 69.6% of LBW and IUGR contributed to 30.4%.…”

Anemia in pregnancy: cliniсо-pathogenetic approaches to the management of pregnancy

“…У детей в раннем неонатальном периоде отме-чаются большая потеря массы тела и более мед-ленное ее восстановление, запоздалое отпаде-ние пуповинного остатка, длительное течение физиологической желтухи, нарушение процес-са становления микробиоценоза кишечника. Гнойно-септические заболевания, обусловлен-ные относительным иммунодефицитным со-стоянием, развиваются в два раза чаще, чем у детей здоровых матерей [9,24,25].…”