Birth Weight, Stress, and the Metabolic Syndrome in Adult Life

There is now widespread agreement that small size at birth is associated with an increased risk of the metabolic syndrome (glucose intolerance, high blood pressure, and dyslipidemia) and related pathologies, including cardiovascular disease in later life. Evidence is emerging that suggests that programming of hormonal systems in response to an adverse fetal environment may be one of the mechanisms underlying these long-term consequences of growth restriction in early life. In particular, alterations in neuroendocrine responses to stress may be important. Recent research suggests that increased adrenocortical and sympathoadrenal responses are associated with small size at birth. Epidemiological studies show that such physiological alterations in these neuroendocrine systems may have potent effects on risk of cardiovascular disease through their influence on risk factors, such as plasma glucose and lipid concentrations and blood pressur

Sociodemographic characteristics influencing birth outcome in Sweden, 1908-1930. Birth variables in The Population Study of Women in Gothenburg

STUDY OBJECTIVE—To identify variables available in early Swedish delivery records and their relation to birth outcomes for home and hospital deliveries in Gothenburg at the early part of this century.
DESIGN—A retrospective recovery of original delivery records and social variables in a cross sectional population.
SETTING—Gothenburg, Sweden.
PARTICIPANTS—851 fullterm singleton female births with known gestational age born into five birth cohorts on selected dates (1908, 1914,( )1918, 1922 and 1930).
MAIN RESULTS—Delivery site, maternal parity, gestational age, and social group were significant factors influencing birth outcome as birth weight and length. The mean birth weight and length of hospital born infants was consistently lower than for home deliveries across all cohorts. Site of delivery changed significantly during the period of births under study, 1908-1930.
CONCLUSIONS—In this study, which was based on original delivery records from the early part of this century, it was found that delivery site was an important factor influencing birth outcome across five birth cohorts. Utilisation of delivery services changed during the period of study. Thus, to avoid selection bias, the application of delivery records should reflect the birthing practice of the time period in question.


Keywords: sociodemographic; birth weight; birth length; delivery sit