Relationship between neonatal birthweight variation in respect to 50 degrees percentile and maternal education level in a high selected and homogeneous population.
BACKGROUND
To evaluate the influence of maternal education on exceeding and missing weight of newborns in respect to 50th percentile.


METHODS



METHODS
observational study. Length: five years.


METHODS
obstetric and Gynecology Division Care. Neonatology Division Care.


METHODS
66 male and 57 female newborns having birth weight of around the 50th percentile; missing or exceeding weight was evaluated in respect of the 50th percentile of the relative week of birth. Parents were selected on the basis of the following criteria: mother: age 30-35, BMI before pregnancy 20-25, no habit for smoking or alcohol, first pregnancy, urban living area, no hypertension, normal glucose tolerance, normal thyroid function, regular pregnancy course, Caucasian race, Italian nationality, regularly married; father: BMI 20-25, no habit for smoking or alcohol, urban living area, steady job, just higher, equal or lower education level than wife's. Mothers underwent OGTT, measurement of thyroid function and recording of blood pressure and educational level.


RESULTS
No relationship was observed between mother's education and exceeding weight both in male and in female newborns, while negative relationship was found between mother's education and missing weight both in male and in female in respect of the 50th percentile (Linear regression).


CONCLUSIONS
Our data show that low maternal education exerts an influence in reducing but not increasing birth weight.
Negro
R
R
Cattedra di Endocrinologia Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia Università degli Studi, Parma.
Negro
F
F
D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D015992:Body Mass Index; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D009035:Mothers / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019370:Observation; D011247:Pregnancy; D013997:Time Factors; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D044465:White People / Q000706:statistics & numerical data