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Maternal height and the risk of preterm birth and low birth weight: a systematic review and meta-analyses

Zhen Han1, Olha Lutsiv2, Sohail Mulla2

  • 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao Tong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi Province, People's Republic of China.

Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal D'Obstetrique Et Gynecologie Du Canada : JOGC
|September 6, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Short maternal stature increases risks for preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW). Tall women have reduced risk for low birth weight (LBW), but not preterm birth (PTB).

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Perinatal Epidemiology
  • Maternal Health

Background:

  • Preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) are critical factors in neonatal morbidity and mortality.
  • The influence of maternal height on these adverse pregnancy outcomes remains a subject of ongoing investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To systematically review and meta-analyze existing literature to determine the relationship between maternal height and the risks of PTB and LBW.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive searches of Medline and EMBASE databases were conducted.
  • Inclusion criteria focused on studies assessing maternal height's effect on PTB (<37 weeks) and LBW (<2500 grams) in singleton pregnancies.
  • Data extraction and review were performed independently by two researchers.

Main Results:

  • Analysis of 56 studies involving 333,505 women revealed increased unadjusted risks of PTB (RR 1.23) and LBW (RR 1.81) in short-statured women.
  • Tall maternal stature was not significantly associated with PTB (unadjusted RR 0.97) but showed a decreased unadjusted risk of LBW (RR 0.56).
  • Associations were less consistent when analyzing adjusted data.

Conclusions:

  • Short maternal stature is associated with higher unadjusted risks for both PTB and LBW.
  • Tall maternal stature is associated with approximately half the unadjusted risk of LBW compared to women of reference height.
  • These findings highlight the importance of maternal height as a factor in perinatal outcomes.
Abstract

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