title: Preconception risk factors and SGA babies: Papilloma virus, omega 3 and fat soluble vitamin deficiencies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Small for gestational date (SGA) babies have a poor 'whole of life' prognosis and major factors affecting SGA may be present prior to conception.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To discover whether lifestyle risk factors can be identified in women planning a pregnancy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Prospective study of women who were planning a pregnancy, who agreed to answer a detailed 250 question questionnaire prior to commencing to try to conceive, to being monitored, and within 7days of a positive pregnancy test having a vaginal ultrasound scan and answering further questions about the events since the last menstrual period. Details of all outcomes were recorded.
  
  
  METHODS
  585 couples completed the study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The relationships between birth weights and questionnaire data was analysed using SPSS and parametric statistical analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  401 women (67.9% of all participants) had live births. Eleven babies (2.7%) were less than the 3rd percentile in weight and a further 22 babies (5.4%) were between the 3rd and 10th weight percentiles. Mothers of SGA babies had a lower than average education, diets that were low in meat, fish, dairy foods and nuts or seeds and were more likely to conceive in the winter. Mothers of SGA babies were significantly more likely to have had a recent abnormal Pap smear test. Air travel in the month of conception was a risk factor in having a baby less than 10th percentile.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The quality of lifestyle prior to conception is critical: prenatal counselling needs to be undertaken prior to conception.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Regional Engagement and Community Health, University of South Australia, Adelaide, SA 5001, Australia. judy.ford@unisa.edu.au
authors.forename: Judith Helen
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Ford
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001361:Avitaminosis / Q000150:complications*; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005317:Fetal Growth Retardation / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007236:Infant, Small for Gestational Age; D018811:Maternal Exposure; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011247:Pregnancy; D011251:Pregnancy Complications, Infectious / Q000821:virology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D012307:Risk Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014195:Travel
chemical_list: D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3