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Determinants of term intrauterine growth retardation: the Saudi experience
Y A al-Eissa1, H S Ba'Aqeel, K N Haque
1Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
This study identified key risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation in Saudi Arabia. Primiparity, first-degree consanguinity, and poor housing were significant predictors of growth-restricted infants.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics
- Neonatal Health
- Public Health
Background:
- Intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) affects 1.7% of live births in the Saudi obstetric population.
- Identifying risk factors for IUGR is crucial for improving neonatal outcomes.
- Previous studies have explored various maternal and socioeconomic factors associated with IUGR.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the incidence and identify significant risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation in a Saudi Arabian population.
- To compare characteristics of growth-retarded infants with appropriate-for-gestational-age newborns.
- To establish predictive models for IUGR based on identified risk factors.
Main Methods:
- A clinical study involving 4578 consecutive live births in Saudi Arabia.
- Comparison of 76 growth-retarded infants with 76 randomly selected control newborns.
- Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses to determine significant risk factors.
Main Results:
- Univariate analysis revealed associations between IUGR and maternal age <20, BMI <23, consanguinity, poor housing, primiparity, and inadequate prenatal care.
- Multivariate analysis identified primiparity, first-degree consanguinity, and poor housing as independent significant determinants of IUGR.
- The identified risk factors correctly predicted 63% of IUGR infants and 71% of normal birthweight infants.
Conclusions:
- Primiparity, first-degree consanguinity, and poor housing are significant, independent risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation in the Saudi population.
- These findings can inform targeted interventions and public health strategies to reduce IUGR incidence.
- Further research is warranted to explore the mechanisms underlying these associations and to develop effective prevention programs.
Abstract:
In a clinical study from an unselected Saudi obstetric population, the incidence of and risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation among live births were investigated. From a total study group of 4578 consecutive live births, 76 (1.7%) infants were found to be growth retarded. These infants were then compared with a randomly selected control group of 76 term newborns with appropriate birthweight for their gestational ages. Delivery at term of a growth-retarded infant was significantly associated with maternal age under 20 years, maternal body mass index less than 23, first degree consanguinity, poor housing, primiparity, and inadequate prenatal care in univariate analysis. When considered jointly in multivariate logistic regression analysis, the significant determinants were reduced to primiparity, first degree consanguinity, and poor housing. These risk factors correctly predicted 63% and 71% of the intrauterine growth-retarded infants or normal birthweight infants, respectively.