Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 23, 2026

External Cephalic Version: Is it an Effective and Safe Procedure?
Published on: June 6, 2020
Body mass index change between pregnancies and small for gestational age births
Christine J Cheng1, Kerry Bommarito, Akihiko Noguchi
1Department of Community Health, Saint Louis University School of Public Health, St. Louis, Missouri, USA. chengc@msnotes@wustl.edu
Objective:
To estimate whether maternal weight changes between pregnancies influence the risk for small for gestational age (SGA) births.
Methods:
SGA cases (n = 8,062) below the tenth percentile birth weight for gestational age were selected from liveborn singletons born of Missouri residents during 1989-1997. Normal weight controls (n = 8,062) were selected according to birth year. The risk of SGA from interpregnancy body mass index (BMI) change and other maternal factors was estimated using logistic regression analysis.
Results:
An increase in BMI between pregnancies decreased SGA risk (adjusted odds ratio = 0.8; 95% confidence interval 0.7, 1.0). Other risk factors were prior SGA (4.4; 4.0, 4.8), preeclampsia/eclampsia (2.6; 2.1, 3.2), maternal cardiac disease (1.8; 1.1, 2.9), inadequate weight gain (1.9; 1.8, 2.2), and cigarette smoking (1.9; 1.7, 2.3 for 1-9 cigarettes per day; 2.5; 2.2, 2.8 for 10-19/d; and 2.8; 2.5, 3.3 for 20/d or more).
Conclusion:
Increase in interpregnancy BMI lowers SGA risk, but adequate weight gain during pregnancy is more effective.
Related Concept Videos
Regression Toward the Mean
z Scores and Area Under the Curve
Normal Distribution
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Obesity
Diabetes Mellitus: Type 2 and Gestational
