Preconception risk factors and SGA babies: Papilloma virus, omega 3 and fat soluble vitamin deficiencies

Small for gestational date (SGA) babies have a poor 'whole of life' prognosis and major factors affecting SGA may be present prior to conception.

To discover whether lifestyle risk factors can be identified in women planning a pregnancy.

Prospective study of women who were planning a pregnancy, who agreed to answer a detailed 250 question questionnaire prior to commencing to try to conceive, to being monitored, and within 7days of a positive pregnancy test having a vaginal ultrasound scan and answering further questions about the events since the last menstrual period. Details of all outcomes were recorded.

585 couples completed the study.

The relationships between birth weights and questionnaire data was analysed using SPSS and parametric statistical analysis.

401 women (67.9% of all participants) had live births. Eleven babies (2.7%) were less than the 3rd percentile in weight and a further 22 babies (5.4%) were between the 3rd and 10th weight percentiles. Mothers of SGA babies had a lower than average education, diets that were low in meat, fish, dairy foods and nuts or seeds and were more likely to conceive in the winter. Mothers of SGA babies were significantly more likely to have had a recent abnormal Pap smear test. Air travel in the month of conception was a risk factor in having a baby less than 10th percentile.

The quality of lifestyle prior to conception is critical: prenatal counselling needs to be undertaken prior to conception.