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Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction
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Fetal Echocardiography and Pulsed-wave Doppler Ultrasound in a Rabbit Model of Intrauterine Growth Restriction

Published on: June 29, 2013

Determinants of intrauterine growth retardation: evidence against maternal depletion

J E Miller

    Journal of Biosocial Science
    |April 1, 1989
    PubMed

    Insights

    Infants born less than 12 months after a previous birth face a 30% higher risk of being small for gestational age (SGA). This increased risk persists even after accounting for maternal factors, suggesting short birth intervals pose a significant health concern.

    Area of Science:

    • Perinatal epidemiology
    • Reproductive health
    • Pediatric health

    Background:

    • Short birth intervals are a global concern.
    • Previous studies suggest a link between short birth intervals and adverse infant outcomes.
    • The underlying mechanisms require further investigation.

    Purpose of the Study:

    • To analyze the association between preceding birth interval length and the risk of intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR).
    • To investigate potential explanations for the observed association, such as maternal depletion.

    Main Methods:

    • Utilized data from the 1973 World Health Organization (WHO) study of perinatal mortality in Sweden.
    • Employed multivariate logit analysis to control for confounding factors.
    • Examined the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) in relation to birth intervals.

    Main Results:

    • Infants born after intervals of 12 months or less had a 30% higher likelihood of being SGA compared to those born after 18-59 month intervals.
    • This increased risk remained significant after controlling for maternal age and parity.
    • Shorter gestation length did not fully explain the lower birth weight observed in infants born after short intervals.
    • No evidence supported maternal depletion as the primary explanation, as risk did not consistently decrease with longer intervals under 18 months.

    Conclusions:

    • Short birth intervals (≤12 months) are independently associated with an increased risk of delivering a small for gestational age (SGA) infant.
    • The findings do not support the maternal depletion hypothesis for SGA risk in short interpregnancy intervals.
    • Public health strategies should consider the implications of short birth intervals for infant growth and development.

    Keywords:
    BiologyBirth IntervalsBirth WeightBody WeightDemographic FactorsDeveloped CountriesEuropeFertilityFertility MeasurementsFetusGestational AgeHealthMaternal HealthNorthern EuropePhysiologyPopulationPopulation DynamicsPregnancyReproductionScandinaviaSwedenTime Factors

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