Is birthweight influenced equally by maternal and paternal anthropometry?
Abu Shqara Raneen1,2, Daoud Sabag Lina1,2, Myriam Safrai1,2
1Faculty of Medicine, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem, Israel.
Summary
Maternal height and weight significantly influence fetal birthweight, alongside neonatal head circumference. Paternal biometrics did not show a significant association in this study on birth weight predictors.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Human Genetics
Background:
- Fetal birthweight is a critical indicator of neonatal health and long-term outcomes.
- Understanding the interplay of parental biometric factors and fetal growth is essential for optimizing prenatal care and predicting neonatal size.
- Previous research has explored various maternal factors, but the independent contribution of paternal biometrics requires further elucidation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of maternal and paternal biometric factors on fetal birthweight (BW).
- To identify independent predictors of neonatal birthweight percentile rank in a cohort of healthy pregnancies.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study involving 199 mother-father-neonate trios.
- Collection of maternal and paternal biometric data (head circumference, weight, height) and neonatal data (head circumference, birthweight).
- Statistical analysis including univariate and multivariate regression to determine significant predictors of neonatal birthweight percentile rank, with sex-specific analyses.
Main Results:
- Maternal pre-pregnancy weight, maternal weight at term, and neonatal head circumference percentile rank were significant independent predictors of birthweight percentile rank.
- Maternal height and gestational weight gain were significant predictors in males, while maternal weight at term was a key predictor in females.
- Paternal biometric factors did not demonstrate a significant association with birthweight percentile rank in the multivariate analysis.
Conclusions:
- Maternal height and weight parameters, along with neonatal head circumference percentile rank, are crucial independent predictors of birthweight percentile rank.
- Paternal biometrics do not appear to be significant independent predictors of fetal birthweight in this cohort.
- The findings support the evolutionary concept of a maternal-fetal size match for successful birth outcomes.
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