Comparison of risk factors for small-for-gestational-age and preterm in a Portuguese cohort of newborns.
OBJECTIVE
To identify risk factors for small-for-gestational-age and preterm in a Portuguese cohort of newborns.


METHODS
Socio-demographic, anthropometric, behavioural and obstetrical characteristics were evaluated in 4.193 women consecutively delivered. Term small-for-gestational-age (n = 342) and non-small-for-gestational-age preterm (n = 148) were compared to non-small-for-gestational-age term births (n = 3538). Adjusted odds ratios and etiologic fractions were calculated.


RESULTS
Low height, low weight when entering pregnancy and low weight gain were significantly associated with small-for-gestational-age, but not preterm. These were the factors with the highest etiologic fraction for small-for-gestational-age. An increased risk of small-for-gestational-age was found for women who smoked during pregnancy (OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.66-3.46) and began antenatal care after pregnancy first trimester (OR = 1.86; 95% CI: 1.32-2.62). Previous abortion was associated with small-for-gestational-age (OR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.16-2.55) and previous preterm with preterm (OR = 3.20; 95% CI: 1.26-8.14).


CONCLUSIONS
Low anthropometrics, smoking and late antenatal care were risk factors for small-for-gestational-age, but not preterm. Maternal anthropometrics were the factors with the highest impact on small-for-gestational-age. No factor showed a great contribution to preterm birth.
Rodrigues
Teresa
T
Department of Hygiene and Epidemiology, University of Porto Medical School, Al. Prof. Hernani Monteiro, 4200-319 Porto, Portugal. tererod@med.up.pt
Barros
Henrique
H
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000886:Anthropometry; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007234:Infant, Premature; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D009752:Nutritional Status; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D011256:Pregnancy Outcome; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors