Maternal factors in the aetiology of small-for-gestational age among term Nigerian babies

Abstract

Background: Babies are classified according to the relationship between birth weight and gestational age, the latter being the strongest determinant of birth weight. Small-for-gestational age (SGA) babies have birth weights less than the 10th percentile for age and sex or more than two standard deviations below the mean for age and sex.Objective: The study was carried out to investigate the maternal factorsassociated with the delivery of term small-for-gestational age babiesin a Nigerian Hospital.Methods: In the cross-sectional survey, the anthropometric parametersof term singleton infants were related to maternal age, parity, socio-economic class, anthropometry and medical disorders in pregnancy.Results: A total of 825 babies were surveyed within the first 24 hoursof life. The mean birth weight of babies was 3233 ± 539g. The males had significantly longer mean crown-heel length and mean occipitofrontal circumference compared to females p = 0.048 and p < 0.000 respectively). The prevalence of infants with small-for-gestational age was 7.2% (5.7% and 8.8% among males and females respectively). The proportion of mothers who did not encounter significant illness in pregnancy was lowestamong those who had SGA babies, followed by mothers of LGA babiesand those of AGA babies in that order. With respect to maternal age,weight, height and body mass index (except inter-pregnancy interval),mothers of SGA babies had significantly lower values compared tomothers of the AGA and LGA babies (p < 0.03).Conclusion: This study identified age, parity, anthropometry and  hypertension-related disorders as major maternal factors associated withthe birth of SGA babies in Nigeria.Keywords: Anthropometry, Intrauterine growth restriction, maternal illness, Nigeria.