Skip to main content
Top
Published in: Reproductive Health 3/2020

Open Access 01-12-2020 | Research

Regional trends in birth weight in low- and middle-income countries 2013–2018

Authors: Irene Marete, Osayame Ekhaguere, Carla M. Bann, Sherri L. Bucher, Paul Nyongesa, Archana B. Patel, Patricia L. Hibberd, Sarah Saleem, Robert L. Goldenberg, Shivaprasad S. Goudar, Richard J. Derman, Ana L. Garces, Nancy F. Krebs, Elwyn Chomba, Waldemar A. Carlo, Adrien Lokangaka, Melissa Bauserman, Marion Koso-Thomas, Janet L. Moore, Elizabeth M. McClure, Fabian Esamai

Published in: Reproductive Health | Special Issue 3/2020

Login to get access

Abstract

Background

Birth weight (BW) is a strong predictor of neonatal outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare BWs between global regions (south Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, Central America) prospectively and to determine if trends exist in BW over time using the population-based maternal and newborn registry (MNHR) of the Global Network for Women'sand Children's Health Research (Global Network).

Methods

The MNHR is a prospective observational population-based registryof six research sites participating in the Global Network (2013–2018), within five low- and middle-income countries (Kenya, Zambia, India, Pakistan, and Guatemala) in threeglobal regions (sub-Saharan Af rica, south Asia, Central America). The birth weights were obtained for all infants born during the study period. This was done either by abstracting from the infants' health facility records or from direct measurement by the registry staff for infants born at home. After controlling for demographic characteristics, mixed-effect regression models were utilized to examine regional differences in birth weights over time.

Results

The overall BW meanswere higher for the African sites (Zambia and Kenya), 3186 g (SD 463 g) in 2013 and 3149 g (SD 449 g) in 2018, ascompared to Asian sites (Belagavi and Nagpur, India and Pakistan), 2717 g (SD450 g) in 2013 and 2713 g (SD 452 g) in 2018. The Central American site (Guatemala) had a mean BW intermediate between the African and south Asian sites, 2928 g (SD 452) in 2013, and 2874 g (SD 448) in 2018. The low birth weight (LBW) incidence was highest in the south Asian sites (India and Pakistan) and lowest in the African sites (Kenya and Zambia). The size of regional differences varied somewhat over time with slight decreases in the gap in birth weights between the African and Asian sites and slight increases in the gap between the African and Central American sites.

Conclusions

Overall, BWmeans by global region did not change significantly over the 5-year study period. From 2013 to 2018, infants enrolled at the African sites demonstrated the highest BW means overall across the entire study period, particularly as compared to Asian sites. The incidence of LBW was highest in the Asian sites (India and Pakistan) compared to the African and Central American sites.
Trial registration The study is registered at clinicaltrials.gov. ClinicalTrial.gov Trial Registration: NCT01073475.
Literature
1.
go back to reference International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems. 10th revision ed. , Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010 (ISBN 978 92 4 154834 2). International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems. 10th revision ed. , Geneva: World Health Organization; 2010 (ISBN 978 92 4 154834 2).
2.
go back to reference Jornayvaz FR, Vollenweider P, Bochud M, Mooser V, Waeber G, Marques-Vidal P. Low birth weight leads to obesity, diabetes and increased leptin levels in adults: the CoLaus study. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2016;15:73. CrossRef Jornayvaz FR, Vollenweider P, Bochud M, Mooser V, Waeber G, Marques-Vidal P. Low birth weight leads to obesity, diabetes and increased leptin levels in adults: the CoLaus study. Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2016;15:73. CrossRef
3.
go back to reference Gu H, Wang L, Liu L, Luo X, Wang J, Hou F, Nkomola PD, Li J, Liu G, Meng H, et al. A gradient relationship between low birth weight and IQ: a meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):18035. CrossRef Gu H, Wang L, Liu L, Luo X, Wang J, Hou F, Nkomola PD, Li J, Liu G, Meng H, et al. A gradient relationship between low birth weight and IQ: a meta-analysis. Sci Rep. 2017;7(1):18035. CrossRef
4.
go back to reference Christian P, Lee SE, Donahue Angel M, Adair LS, Arifeen SE, Ashorn P, Barros FC, Fall CH, Fawzi WW, Hao W, et al. Risk of childhood undernutrition related to small-for-gestational age and preterm birth in low- and middle-income countries. Int J Epidemiol. 2013;42(5):1340–55. CrossRef Christian P, Lee SE, Donahue Angel M, Adair LS, Arifeen SE, Ashorn P, Barros FC, Fall CH, Fawzi WW, Hao W, et al. Risk of childhood undernutrition related to small-for-gestational age and preterm birth in low- and middle-income countries. Int J Epidemiol. 2013;42(5):1340–55. CrossRef
5.
go back to reference United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization(WHO). UNICEF-WHO Low birthweight estimates: Levels and trends 2000–2015. Geneva: WorldHealth Organization; 2019 (Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO). United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), World Health Organization(WHO). UNICEF-WHO Low birthweight estimates: Levels and trends 2000–2015. Geneva: WorldHealth Organization; 2019 (Licence: CC BY-NC-SA 3.0 IGO).
6.
go back to reference WHO. Global nutrition targets 2025: low birth weight policy brief (WHO/NMH/NHD/14.5). Geneva: World HealthOrganization; 2014. WHO. Global nutrition targets 2025: low birth weight policy brief (WHO/NMH/NHD/14.5). Geneva: World HealthOrganization; 2014.
7.
go back to reference Islam MM. Increasing incidence of infants with low birth weight in Oman. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2015;15(2):e177-183. PubMedPubMedCentral Islam MM. Increasing incidence of infants with low birth weight in Oman. Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2015;15(2):e177-183. PubMedPubMedCentral
8.
go back to reference Johnson CD, Jones S, Paranjothy S. Reducing low birth weight: prioritizing action to address modifiable risk factors. J Public Health (Oxf). 2017;39(1):122–31. Johnson CD, Jones S, Paranjothy S. Reducing low birth weight: prioritizing action to address modifiable risk factors. J Public Health (Oxf). 2017;39(1):122–31.
9.
go back to reference Ghosh RE, Berild JD, Sterrantino AF, Toledano MB, Hansell AL. Birth weight trends in England and Wales (1986–2012): babies are getting heavier. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2018;103(3):F264–70. CrossRef Ghosh RE, Berild JD, Sterrantino AF, Toledano MB, Hansell AL. Birth weight trends in England and Wales (1986–2012): babies are getting heavier. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2018;103(3):F264–70. CrossRef
10.
go back to reference Weinberg CR. Invited commentary: troubling trends in birth weight. Am J Epidemiol. 2016;183(1):24–5. CrossRef Weinberg CR. Invited commentary: troubling trends in birth weight. Am J Epidemiol. 2016;183(1):24–5. CrossRef
11.
go back to reference Bucher S, Marete I, Tenge C, Liechty E, Esamai F, Patel A, et al. A prospective observational description of frequency and timing of antenatal care attendance and coverage of selected interventions from sites in Argentina, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan and Zambia. Reproductive Health. 2015;12(Suppl 2):S12. CrossRef Bucher S, Marete I, Tenge C, Liechty E, Esamai F, Patel A, et al. A prospective observational description of frequency and timing of antenatal care attendance and coverage of selected interventions from sites in Argentina, Guatemala, India, Kenya, Pakistan and Zambia. Reproductive Health. 2015;12(Suppl 2):S12. CrossRef
12.
go back to reference Crockett AH, Heberlein EC, Smith JC, Ozluk P, Covington-Kolb S, Willis C. Effects of a multi-site expansion of group prenatal care on birth outcomes. Matern Child Health J. 2019;23(10):1424–33. CrossRef Crockett AH, Heberlein EC, Smith JC, Ozluk P, Covington-Kolb S, Willis C. Effects of a multi-site expansion of group prenatal care on birth outcomes. Matern Child Health J. 2019;23(10):1424–33. CrossRef
13.
go back to reference Bose C, Bauserman M, Goldenberg R, Goudar S, McClure E, Pasha O, et al. The Global Network Maternal Newborn Health Registry: a multi-national, community-based registry of pregnancy outcomes. Reprod Health. 2015;12(Suppl 2):S1. CrossRef Bose C, Bauserman M, Goldenberg R, Goudar S, McClure E, Pasha O, et al. The Global Network Maternal Newborn Health Registry: a multi-national, community-based registry of pregnancy outcomes. Reprod Health. 2015;12(Suppl 2):S1. CrossRef
14.
go back to reference Gisore P, Shipala E, Otieno K, Rono B, Marete I, Tenge C, et al. Community based weighing of newborns and use of mobile phones by village elders in rural settings in Kenya: a decentralised approach to health care provision. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012;12(1):15. CrossRef Gisore P, Shipala E, Otieno K, Rono B, Marete I, Tenge C, et al. Community based weighing of newborns and use of mobile phones by village elders in rural settings in Kenya: a decentralised approach to health care provision. BMC Pregnancy Childbirth. 2012;12(1):15. CrossRef
15.
go back to reference Kiserud T, Piaggio G, Carroli G, Widmer M, Carvalho J, Neerup Jensen L, et al. The World Health Organization fetal growth charts: a multinational longitudinal study of ultrasound biometric measurements and estimated fetal weight. PLoS Med. 2017;14(1):e1002220. CrossRef Kiserud T, Piaggio G, Carroli G, Widmer M, Carvalho J, Neerup Jensen L, et al. The World Health Organization fetal growth charts: a multinational longitudinal study of ultrasound biometric measurements and estimated fetal weight. PLoS Med. 2017;14(1):e1002220. CrossRef
16.
go back to reference Goldstein RF, Abell SK, Ranasinha S, Misso ML, Boyle JA, Harrison CL, et al. Gestational weight gain across continents and ethnicity: systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal and infant outcomes in more than one million women. BMC Med. 2018;16(1):153. CrossRef Goldstein RF, Abell SK, Ranasinha S, Misso ML, Boyle JA, Harrison CL, et al. Gestational weight gain across continents and ethnicity: systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal and infant outcomes in more than one million women. BMC Med. 2018;16(1):153. CrossRef
17.
go back to reference Ratnasiri AWG, Parry SS, Arief VN, DeLacy IH, Halliday LA, DiLibero RJ, Basford KE. Recent trends, risk factors, and disparities in low birth weight in California, 2005–2014: a retrospective study. Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol. 2018;4:15. CrossRef Ratnasiri AWG, Parry SS, Arief VN, DeLacy IH, Halliday LA, DiLibero RJ, Basford KE. Recent trends, risk factors, and disparities in low birth weight in California, 2005–2014: a retrospective study. Matern Health Neonatol Perinatol. 2018;4:15. CrossRef
18.
go back to reference Lunde A, Melve KK, Gjessing HK, Skjaerven R, Irgens LM. Genetic and environmental influences on birth weight, birth length, head circumference, and gestational age by use of population-based parent-offspring data. Am J Epidemiol. 2007;165(7):734–41. CrossRef Lunde A, Melve KK, Gjessing HK, Skjaerven R, Irgens LM. Genetic and environmental influences on birth weight, birth length, head circumference, and gestational age by use of population-based parent-offspring data. Am J Epidemiol. 2007;165(7):734–41. CrossRef
19.
go back to reference Catov JM, Lee M, Roberts JM, Xu J, Simhan HN. Race disparities and decreasing birth weight: are all babies getting smaller? Am J Epidemiol. 2016;183(1):15–23. CrossRef Catov JM, Lee M, Roberts JM, Xu J, Simhan HN. Race disparities and decreasing birth weight: are all babies getting smaller? Am J Epidemiol. 2016;183(1):15–23. CrossRef
20.
go back to reference Steketee RW, Nahlen BL, Parise ME, Menendez C. The burden of malaria in pregnancy in malaria-endemic areas. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2001;64(1–2 Suppl):28–35. CrossRef Steketee RW, Nahlen BL, Parise ME, Menendez C. The burden of malaria in pregnancy in malaria-endemic areas. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 2001;64(1–2 Suppl):28–35. CrossRef
21.
go back to reference McGregor IA, Wilson ME, Billewicz WZ. Malaria infection of the placenta in The Gambia, West Africa; its incidence and relationship to stillbirth, birthweight and placental weight. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1983;77(2):232–44. CrossRef McGregor IA, Wilson ME, Billewicz WZ. Malaria infection of the placenta in The Gambia, West Africa; its incidence and relationship to stillbirth, birthweight and placental weight. Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 1983;77(2):232–44. CrossRef
23.
go back to reference De Souza LR, Urquia ML, Sgro M, Ray JG. One size does not fit all: differences in newborn weight among mothers of Philippine and other East Asian origin. J Obstetr Gynaecol Canada. 2012;34(11):1026–37. CrossRef De Souza LR, Urquia ML, Sgro M, Ray JG. One size does not fit all: differences in newborn weight among mothers of Philippine and other East Asian origin. J Obstetr Gynaecol Canada. 2012;34(11):1026–37. CrossRef
24.
go back to reference Martinson ML, Reichman NE. Socioeconomic inequalities in low birth weight in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Am J Public Health. 2016;106(4):748–54. CrossRef Martinson ML, Reichman NE. Socioeconomic inequalities in low birth weight in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. Am J Public Health. 2016;106(4):748–54. CrossRef
25.
go back to reference Mahumud RA, Sultana M, Sarker AR. Distribution and determinants of low birth weight in developing countries. J Prev Med Public Health. 2017;50(1):18–28. CrossRef Mahumud RA, Sultana M, Sarker AR. Distribution and determinants of low birth weight in developing countries. J Prev Med Public Health. 2017;50(1):18–28. CrossRef
26.
go back to reference Emmerson AJ, Roberts SA. Rounding of birth weights in a neonatal intensive care unit over 20 years: an analysis of a large cohort study. BMJ Open. 2013;3(12):e003650. CrossRef Emmerson AJ, Roberts SA. Rounding of birth weights in a neonatal intensive care unit over 20 years: an analysis of a large cohort study. BMJ Open. 2013;3(12):e003650. CrossRef
Metadata
Title
Regional trends in birth weight in low- and middle-income countries 2013–2018
Authors
Irene Marete
Osayame Ekhaguere
Carla M. Bann
Sherri L. Bucher
Paul Nyongesa
Archana B. Patel
Patricia L. Hibberd
Sarah Saleem
Robert L. Goldenberg
Shivaprasad S. Goudar
Richard J. Derman
Ana L. Garces
Nancy F. Krebs
Elwyn Chomba
Waldemar A. Carlo
Adrien Lokangaka
Melissa Bauserman
Marion Koso-Thomas
Janet L. Moore
Elizabeth M. McClure
Fabian Esamai
Publication date
01-12-2020
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Reproductive Health / Issue Special Issue 3/2020
Electronic ISSN: 1742-4755
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12978-020-01026-2

Other articles of this Special Issue 3/2020

Reproductive Health 3/2020 Go to the issue