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Antenatal predictors and body composition of large-for-gestational-age newborns: perinatal health outcomes

Journal of Perinatology volume 34, pages 698–704 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Objective:

To compare body composition of large-for-gestational-age (LGA) with appropriate-for-gestational-age (AGA) newborns and to identify antenatal predictors of LGA.

Study Design:

This cross-sectional study included 536 term, singleton infants. Anthropometric measurements were performed within 48 h of birth and included determination of body fat percentage (%BF) by air displacement plethysmography. Associations were investigated using logistic regression.

Result:

LGA infants had greater %BF (P<0.001) compared with AGA infants. Significant predictors of LGA infants included parity (odds ratio (OR)=1.98, (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.00, 4.02)), paternal height (OR=1.08, (95% CI 1.03, 1.14)), maternal pregravid weight (65 to 74.9 kg: OR=2.77, (95% CI 1.14, 7.06)) and gestational weight gain (OR=1.09, 95% CI (1.03, 1.16)). Gestational diabetes mellitus was not associated with LGA infants (P=0.598).

Conclusion:

Paternal height, parity, maternal pregravid weight and gestational weight gain were strongly associated with LGA infants. These results may allow early prediction and potential modification, thereby optimising clinical outcomes.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the RPAH midwifery and neonatal staff, as well as mothers and babies who participated in the study. Thank you to Cheryl Au, Elizabeth Hales, Meredith Li and Lucia Wang for their assistance with data collection.

Funding: The PEA POD was funded by Tenix Pty Ltd and an anonymous donor from the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Sydney. CHR-G, at the time of this work, was supported by an Australian National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Early Career Fellowship no. 511481. RMT is supported by NHMRC grant no. 633003 to the Screening and Test Evaluation Program. AEC, at the time of this work, was supported by an Australia Postgraduate PhD award.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,

    E L Donnelley & H E Jeffery

  2. Sydney School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia,

    C H Raynes-Greenow, R M Turner, A E Carberry & H E Jeffery

  3. RPA Newborn Care, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia,

    H E Jeffery

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  1. E L Donnelley
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  2. C H Raynes-Greenow
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  3. R M Turner
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  4. A E Carberry
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  5. H E Jeffery
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Correspondence to E L Donnelley.

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Donnelley, E., Raynes-Greenow, C., Turner, R. et al. Antenatal predictors and body composition of large-for-gestational-age newborns: perinatal health outcomes. J Perinatol 34, 698–704 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/jp.2014.90

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