MATERNAL RISK-FACTORS IN INFANTS WITH VERY LOW-BIRTH-WEIGHT

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  • 1 January 1982
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 60  (5) , 612-616
Abstract
To determine whether maternal risk factors associated with the delivery of very low birth weight infants [human] < 1501 g, are different from those associated with low birth weight infants, 1501-2500 g, prenatal data on 12,247 deliveries were evaluated. The sample contained 302 very low birth weight infants. Maternal race, age, height, weight, gravidity, parity, past pregnancy performances and pregnancy complications were analyzed. Factors related to very low birth weight but not to low birth weight infants were previous abortions, previous fetal deaths and hypertensive vascular disease. Race, maternal height and prepregnancy weight were not related to very low birth weight but were associated with an increase in low birth weight. There was no significant difference in the rate of very low birth weight or low birth weight by maternal age from 14-40 yr. Results contradict the concept of a uniform set of predisposing factors for birth of all infants weighing .ltoreq. 2500 g.