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Birth weight by gestational age for Albertan liveborn infants, 1985 through 1998
Charlene M T Robertson1, Lawrence W Svenson, Janis M Kyle
1Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, AB.
Insights
This study provides birth weight percentiles for newborns in Alberta, Canada, showing increased birth weights for singletons and decreased weights for female twins over time. These findings offer valuable reference data for clinical evaluation.
Area of Science:
- Neonatal research
- Perinatal statistics
- Public health
Background:
- Accurate birth weight references are crucial for neonatal health assessment.
- Previous studies may not reflect current population-specific trends.
Purpose of the Study:
- To establish percentile tables and graphs for birth weight by gestational age and gender for singleton and twin neonates.
- To analyze temporal changes in birth weight relative to gestational age.
Main Methods:
- Utilized vital statistics data from Alberta, Canada (1985-1998) for over 556,000 singletons and 12,000 twins.
- Employed independent two-tailed t-tests and one-way analyses of variance to compare mean birth weights and identify trends.
Main Results:
- Developed percentile charts (1st-99th) for birth weight across 21-44 weeks gestation.
- Observed a statistically significant increase in singleton birth weight (both genders) between 38-42 weeks gestation.
- Noted a decrease in birth weight for female twins and a specific decrease for preterm singleton females (33-35 weeks).
Conclusions:
- The generated birth weight references are specific to the Alberta population but may serve as a benchmark for other regions.
- The clinical implications of increased birth weight in term neonates warrant further critical assessment.
- Observed trends highlight the need for ongoing monitoring of neonatal growth patterns.
Objectives:
(1) To provide percentile tables and graphs of birth weight by gestational age and by gender, for singleton and twin liveborn neonates. (2) To determine changes in birth weight relative to gestational age over the study period.
Methods:
Data on 556,775 singletons and 12,125 twins, born alive in Alberta from 1985 through 1998, were obtained from Alberta Registries - Vital Statistics. Mean birth weights for individual and grouped years were compared by independent two-tailed t-tests. Linear trends in birth weight over the 14-year period were obtained using one-way analyses of variance.
Results:
Four tables and corresponding graphs showing birth weight for gestational age by gender for 21 through 44 completed weeks gestation provide data for the 1st to 99th percentile. Changes in birth weight for the combined gestational ages included an increase for singletons (male, F 17.6, p < 0.001; female, F 53.3, p < 0.001), and a decrease for female twins (F 5.8, 0.004). The increase for singletons was seen at 38 through 42 weeks gestation for both genders. No change occurred under 38 weeks except in singleton females of 33 to 35 weeks with a decrease in birth weight observed from 2636 +/- 539 g, 1985 to 2576 +/- 479 g, 1998; t 2.5, p = 0.002.
Conclusions:
The graphs and tables established in this study represent a specific geographic area and population. They may be relevant as a reference for other geographic regions and populations. The clinical significance of the observed increased birth weight among term, but not preterm newborns, requires critical evaluation.