Weight gain by gestational age in both black and white women delivered of normal-birth-weight and low-birth-weight infants

Article Abstract:

Low infant birth weight is strongly associated with newborn illness and death. Maternal weight gain is a significant contributor to variations in infant weight, but appropriate patterns of weight gain and standards of weight gain for gestational age are unclear. Previous studies of effects of maternal weight gain on infant outcome have generally been conducted when weight gain was restricted. To better understand the relationship between maternal weight gain and newborn status, 281 low-risk, middle-class white and black women were studied, and weight gain was not restricted. Low-birth-weight infants were born to 56 black women and 63 white women, while average-weight infants were born to 101 black and 61 white women. Black and white women had a linear pattern of weight gain after week 20; there was more variation in average weight gain in earlier weeks. No significant differences between white and black women in weight gain were observed and there was no significant difference between white women who had low- or average-weight infants. Black women who had low-birth-weight infants tended to gain less weight than those with average-weight infants, but the differences were not significant. Part of the lack of substantial differences may be due to the small number of women studied, but usefulness of maternal weight gain as a predictor of low-weight infants is also limited by the large variability in weight gain among women. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Physiological aspects, Birth weight, Low, Low birth weight, Pregnancy, Weight gain

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Is there an association between water baths during labor and the development of chorioamnionitis or endometritis?

Article Abstract:

There appears to be no association between water baths during labor and an increased risk of chorioamnionitis or endometritis. These conditions are infections inside the uterus. Researchers analyzed the use of water baths during labor in 110 women with chorioamnionitis or endometritis and 97 women without these infections. There was no significant link between water baths and the infections or poor fetal outcome. Many of the women said the water bath helped them to relax.

Baths, Chorioamnionitis, Endometritis

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Do racial and ethnic differences in serum folate values exist after food fortification with folic acid?

Article Abstract:

A study to examine the associations between serum folate at first prenatal visit and maternal race/ethnicity, age, vitamin use, and body mass index was conducted. The results revealed that after food fortification with folic acid, difference in serum folate values in pregnant women by maternal race/ethnicity, age, and body mass index persisted.

Science & research, Research, Food and nutrition, Folic acid, Fortification

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