title: Social variations in fetal growth in a Russian setting: an analysis of medical records.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The study examines variations in fetal growth by maternal social circumstances in a Russian town.
  
  
  METHODS
  All pregnant women registered at the antenatal clinics in 1999 in Severodvinsk (north-west Russia) and their live born infants comprised the study base (n=1399). Multivariate linear regression analysis was applied to quantify the effect of socio-demographic factors on birthweight and the ponderal index (PI).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A clear gradient of birthweight in relation to mothers' education was revealed. Babies of the most educated mothers were 207 g (95% CI, 55, 358) heavier than babies of mothers with basic education. The average weight of those born to mothers with secondary and vocational levels of education was 172 g (95% CI, 91, 253) and 83 g (95% CI, 9, 163) lower compared with infants born to mothers with a university level of education after adjustment for age, parity, pre-pregnancy weight, marital status, maternal occupation, length of gestation, and sex of the baby. Maternal education also influenced the PI.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further studies should focus on the mechanisms of the coherence of maternal education and fetal growth. To ensure that all parts of the society benefit equally from economic and social reforms, social variations in pregnancy outcomes should be monitored during the time of transition.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine and Rehabilitation, Social Medicine, University of Umeå, Sweden.
authors.forename: Andrej M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Grjibovski
authors.forename: Lars O
authors.initials: LO
authors.lastname: Bygren
authors.forename: Boo
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Svartbo
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Magnus
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001724:Birth Weight; D005314:Embryonic and Fetal Development; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008499:Medical Records; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012426:Russia; D012923:Social Class; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014505:Urban Population