Prevalence of very low birthweight, malformation, and low Apgar score among newborns inBrazilaccording to maternal urban or rural residence at birth

Abstract

Aim: Adverse birth outcomes are a major public health issue in rural areas, where several environmental risk factors, including pesticides, may endanger the health of women of reproductive age. We investigated the prevalence of selected birth outcomes among newborns from mothers living in urban and rural areas of a Brazilian municipality.Methods: Information about all live births that occurred between 2004 and 2006 in the Municipality of Nova Friburgo, Brazil, was retrieved from the Live Birth Information System. Newborns were classified as rural or urban, according to the mother's residence address. Results: Newborns from rural areas had a higher prevalence of very low-birthweight, low Apgar score, and malformation. On Poisson regression with adjustment for several confounders, rural offspring were more likely to have the aforementioned outcomes. Conclusions: Women in rural areas are at higher risk of giving birth to an infant with very low-birthweight, low 5-min Apgar score and malformations detectable at birth, regardless of socioeconomic and gestational conditions.

Low birth weight and its associated factors in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…The following items were used to appraise cohort studies: [ 1 ] similarity of groups, [ 2 ] similarity of exposure measurement, [ 3 ] validity and reliability of measurement, [ 4 ] identification of confounder, [ 5 ] strategies to deal with confounder, [ 6 ] appropriateness of groups/participants at the start of the study, [ 7 ] validity and reliability of outcome measured, [ 8 ] sufficiency of follow-up time, [ 9 ] completeness of follow-up or descriptions of reason to loss to follow-up, [ 10 ] strategies to address incomplete follow-up, and [ 11 ] appropriateness of statistical analysis. The items used to appraise case-control studies were: [ 1 ] comparable groups, [ 2 ] appropriateness of cases and controls, [ 3 ] criteria to identify cases and controls, [ 4 ] standard measurement of exposure, [ 5 ] similarity in measurement of exposure for cases and controls, [ 6 ] handling of confounder [ 7 ], strategies to handle confounder, [ 8 ] standard assessment of outcome, [ 9 ] appropriateness of duration for exposure, and [ 10 ] appropriateness of statistical analysis. Studies got 50% and above of the quality scale were considered low risk.…”

“…Studies got 50% and above of the quality scale were considered low risk. The following items were used to appraise cross-sectional studies: [ 1 ] inclusion criteria, [ 2 ] description of study subject and setting, [ 3 ] valid and reliable measurement of exposure, [ 4 ] objective and standard criteria used, [ 5 ] identification of confounder, [ 6 ] strategies to handle confounder, [ 7 ] outcome measurement, and [ 8 ] appropriate statistical analysis. Studies were considered low risk when it scored 50% and above of the quality assessment indicators.…”

“…Globally, low birth weight (LBW) is one of the major public health problems of newborns [ 1 ] that predispose newborns to many health disorders, like hypoglycemia [ 2 ], hypothermia [ 3 ], mental retardation, physical, and neurodevelopmental problems [ 4 , 5 ]. Consequently, the risk of death is high in LBW infants.…”

Prenatal Exposure to Ambient Pesticides and Preterm Birth and Term Low Birthweight in Agricultural Regions of California

“…However, epidemiologic studies examining the effects of pesticides on preterm birth and low birthweight have yielded inconsistent results. While ecological and cross-sectional studies have reported positive associations between preterm birth and low birthweight and pesticide use in agriculture [ 14 , 15 , 16 ], results from studies assessing self-reported or occupational use of pesticides have been inconsistent [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Nevertheless, small biomarker-based studies with measured organochlorines and/or organophosphates and their metabolic breakdown products in maternal blood, urine, or umbilical cord blood have suggested positive associations with preterm birth or with lower birthweight, with variation between the chemicals and outcomes assessed [ 20 , 21 , 22 ].…”

“…A systematic review of 25 studies of residential proximity to pesticide applications suggested weak or no effects on preterm birth and low birthweight, possibly due to misclassification in the exposure assessment [ 23 ]. Yet, more recent residential proximity studies using simple or area-level exposure assessments have provided some evidence that pesticides influence birth outcomes [ 16 , 24 , 25 ]. Three Geographic Information System (GIS)-based studies of the San Joaquin Valley of California (~1997–2011) reported conflicting results.…”