Some factors in relation to intrauterine growth of Zambian infants
Bhat, G.J.; Mukelabai, K.; Shastri, G.N.; Tamina, C.
East African Medical Journal 65(7): 446-452
1988
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-835X PMID: 3240749 Document Number: 359005
The effect of maternal age, birth order of the present child, maternal education, family income and antenatal care on intrauterine growth were examined in 2353 (normal) singleton babies born without complications at University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia. Positive correlations were found between all but one of the factors examined and the infant's size at birth. Maternal education, however, did not appear to influence the intrauterine growth rate. In any given situation more than 1 factor might have influenced the outcome. In the study, 75.5% of infants were born at term, 16.9% were preterm and the rest were post-term. 94.1% of mothers could state their age which varied from 14 to 48 years with a mean of 24.13 +or- 5.56 years. Birth order ranged between 1 and 14 (mean 3.46 +or- 2.21). Infants' birth size increased gradually but significantly with increase in maternal age up to 35 years and also, with increase in birth order up to 6. 82.9% of mothers came from low and middle income group families. Only 9.1% were from higher income group. A direct correlation was found between family income and infants' birth size. Of the 2296 respondents, only 9 (0.4%) mothers never attended antenatal clinic during the present pregnancy. Infants' size at birth significantly improved with increase in antenatal clinic attendance. From this study it is evident that a considerable % of Zambian women (over 20%) can deliver larger babies by planning their 1st pregnancy after 20 years of age and by improving their antenatal clinic attendance. Improved socioeconomic status will be an added advantage. A controlled study covering both physiological and pathological factors may provide better information.