Characteristics of Recurrent Large-for-Gestational-Age Infants in Obese Women

Objective The objective of this study was to identify characteristics associated with recurrent large-for-gestational-age (LGA) infants in obese women and to explore the relationship between interpregnancy weight change and gestational weight gain (GWG) on risk of recurrence. Study Design We conducted a population-based historical cohort study of 1,190 obese women in Missouri who delivered LGA infants in their first pregnancy with two consecutive pregnancies resulting in singleton live births during 1998 to 2005. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for recurrent LGA infants were calculated with multiple logistic regression. Population-attributable risk assessed the relative importance of specific characteristics. Results A second LGA infant was delivered by 501 women (42%). Recurrence of LGA infants was associated with GWG (aOR, 1.03 [per pound]; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02-1.04), maternal age (aOR, 1.05 [per year]; 95% CI, 1.02-1.08), birth weight of the first LGA infant (aOR, 1.001 [per gram]; 95% CI, 1.000-1.001), being married (aOR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.02-2.49), diabetes (aOR, 1.79; 95% CI, 1.24-2.59), and pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) (aOR, 1.04 [per unit BMI]; 95% CI, 1.02-1.06). Excessive GWG contributed the most to LGA infant recurrence (13%). Interpregnancy weight change was not significantly associated with LGA infant recurrence. Conclusion Lower pre-pregnancy BMI and reduced GWG may mitigate the risk of recurrent LGA infants in obese women.