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The association between inadequate gestational weight gain and infant mortality among U.S. infants born in 2002

Regina R Davis1, Sandra L Hofferth

  • 1Department of Family Science, University of Maryland College Park, College Park, MD 20742, USA. regina.davis@att.net

Maternal and Child Health Journal
|November 19, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Inadequate gestational weight gain significantly increases infant mortality risk by over twofold. This association persists across maternal demographics, highlighting its critical impact on infant survival.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Neonatal Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Infant mortality remains a significant public health concern.
  • Gestational weight gain is a modifiable factor influencing pregnancy outcomes.
  • Understanding the precise impact of inadequate gestational weight gain is crucial for targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To quantify the association between inadequate gestational weight gain and infant mortality.
  • To determine if this association is independent of other known risk factors.
  • To explore potential differences in this association across racial and ethnic groups.

Main Methods:

  • Utilized a large dataset (100,000 records) from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) 2002 Birth Cohort Linked Birth/Infant Death Data File.
  • Employed descriptive statistics and proportional hazards regression analyses.
  • Adjusted for key covariates including gestational age, birth weight, maternal age, education, and race.

Main Results:

  • Nearly 30% of women had inadequate gestational weight gain.
  • Inadequate gestational weight gain was associated with a 2.23 times higher odds of infant death.
  • This increased risk remained significant after adjusting for multiple confounding factors.
  • The association between inadequate gestational weight gain and infant mortality did not vary by race, ethnicity, or maternal age.

Conclusions:

  • Inadequate gestational weight gain is a substantial and independent risk factor for infant mortality.
  • Public health strategies should focus on promoting adequate gestational weight gain for all pregnant individuals.
  • Interventions to improve gestational weight gain may help reduce infant mortality disparities.

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