The relation of low birth weight to psychosocial stress and maternal anthropometric measurements
Author: Hisham TJ, Moawed SA
Source:
Saudi medical journal, 21(7), 649-654.
OBJECTIVES: To determine the relationship between low birth weight and
psychological stress during pregnancy, as well as anthropometric measurements of
Saudi mothers. METHODS: A total of 500 Saudi women were selected, according to
weight and gestation age of their new born infants, one control was selected per
one case (their weight less than 2500 grams). Data was collected from El-Shamasy
Maternal and Child Hospital at Riyadh city. Four instruments were used; interview
questionnaire, psychosocial scales to measure life stresses, true sheet to assess
maternal anthropometric data and new form characteristics. Data was analyzed
using SAS system. Analysis techniques included chi-square, odd ratio and P values
at < 0.05 significance level. RESULTS: The results reflected an increased risk of
low birth weight newborns among women who had experienced an intermediate level
of stress during a period of 12 months prior to delivery. There was also an
association between low birth weight newborns and maternal anthropometric
measurements such as weight, height, body mass index, and upper arm
circumference. CONCLUSION: Saudi women who had an increasing amount of stress
during pregnancy, under weight and short stature have an increased risk of having
low birth weight babies. More research is needed in different regions in the
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia by using the same test for stressor during pregnancy or
even using different tests for measuring life stress during pregnancy