Selected Preconception Health Indicators and Birth Weight Disparities in a National Study

Abstract

Background This analysis explored the effect of timing, sequencing, and change in preconception health across adolescence and young adulthood on racial/ethnic disparities in birth weight in a diverse national cohort of young adult women. Methods Data came from Waves I (1994–1995), III (2001–2002), and IV (2007–2008) of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health. Eligibility was restricted to all singleton live births to female non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Mexican-origin Latina, or Asian/Pacific Islander participants (n=3014) occurring between the Wave III (ages 18–26 years) and IV (ages 24–32 years) interviews. Birth weight was categorized into low (<2500 grams), normal (2500–4000 grams), and macrosomic (>4000 grams). Preconception health indicators were cigarette smoking, heavy alcohol consumption, overweight or obesity, and inadequate physical activity, measured in adolescence (Wave I, ages 11–19 years) and early adulthood (Wave III) and combined into 4-category variables to capture the timing and sequencing of exposure. Findings Measures of preconception health did not explain the Black-White disparity in low birth weight, which increased after adjustment for confounders (odds ratio [OR]=2.17, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33–3.53) and effect modification by overweight/obesity (OR=3.58, 95%CI: 1.65–7.78). A positive association between adult-onset overweight/obesity and macrosomia was modified by race (OR=3.83, 95%CI: 1.02–14.36 for Black women). Conclusions This longitudinal analysis provides new evidence on preconception health and racial/ethnic disparities in birth weight. Specifically, it indicates that interventions focused on prevention of overweight/obesity and maintenance of healthy weight during the transition to adulthood, especially among Black females, may be warranted.

Risk factors for Dandy–Walker malformation: A population‐based assessment

“…The association with low birth weight was also suggested in other studies. An analysis of 38 cases of Dandy–Walker malformation identified between 1967 and 1987 by Pascual‐Castroviejo et al [] reported that 34% of the infants with DWM had a birth weight below 3,000 g. In our data, we found that approximately 33% of all liveborn singleton infants with DWM and 35% of isolated cases were born premature (<37 weeks) and approximately 28% of liveborn singleton cases had birth weights below 2,500 g. Because non‐Hispanic black infants are more likely to have low birth weight [Strutz et al, ; Thomas et al, ], we stratified birth weight by maternal race/ethnicity to assess for heterogeneity of effects. In our analysis, the association with non‐Hispanic black race/ethnicity was lower compared to other race/ethnicity categories.…”

Fetal Programming and Cardiovascular Pathology

“…Health prior to conception does not explain the racial/ethnic disparity in low birth weight (202). However, chronic stress prior to conception increases the risk of low birth weight (201).…”

Maternal Exposure to Alcohol and Low Birthweight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…A total of 19 studies reported the drinking pattern during pregnancy, including the number of alcoholic drinks per day, 27,37,39,42,54 and per week. 20,22,26,33,38,39,44,46,55 The studies included also reported the amount of alcohol (g) consumed monthly, 25,27 and the number of drinking occasions in the previous year.…”