Associations between maternal conditional weight gain and fetal growth during early (14 - ≤ 20 weeks), mid (21–29 weeks) and late (≥ 30 weeks) pregnancy¹.

<p>Associations between maternal conditional weight gain and fetal growth during early (14 - ≤ 20 weeks), mid (21–29 weeks) and late (≥ 30 weeks) pregnancy<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0170192#t002fn002" target="_blank">¹</a>.</p

Timing of Gestational Weight Gain on Fetal Growth and Infant Size at Birth in Vietnam

<div><p>Objective</p><p>To examine the importance of timing of gestational weight gain during three time periods: 1: ≤ 20 weeks gestation), 2: 21–29 weeks) and 3: ≥ 30 weeks) on fetal growth and infant birth size.</p><p>Methods</p><p>Study uses secondary data from the PRECONCEPT randomized controlled trial in Thai Nguyen province, Vietnam (n = 1436). Prospective data were collected on women starting pre-pregnancy through delivery. Maternal conditional weight gain (CWG) was defined as window-specific weight gains, uncorrelated with pre-pregnancy body mass index and all prior body weights. Fetal biometry, was assessed by ultrasound measurements of head and abdomen circumferences, biparietal diameter, and femoral length throughout pregnancy. Birth size outcomes included weight and length, and head, abdomen and mid upper arm circumferences as well as small for gestational age (SGA). Adjusted generalized linear and logistic models were used to examine associations.</p><p>Results</p><p>Overall, three-quarters of women gained below the Institute of Medicine guidelines, and these women were 2.5 times more likely to give birth to a SGA infant. Maternal CWG in the first window (≤ 20 weeks), followed by 21–29 weeks, had the greatest association on all parameters of fetal growth (except abdomen circumference) and infant size at birth. For birth weight, a 1 SD increase CWG in the first 20 weeks had 3 times the influence compared to later CWG (≥ 30 weeks) (111 g vs. 39 g) and was associated with a 43% reduction in SGA risk (OR (95% CI): 0.57 (0.46–0.70).</p><p>Conclusion</p><p>There is a need to target women before or early in pregnancy to ensure adequate nutrition to maximize impact on fetal growth and birth size.</p><p>Trial Registration</p><p>ClinicalTrials.gov, <a href="https://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT01665378" target="_blank">NCT01665378</a></p></div

Maternal and newborn characteristics (n = 1436)¹.

<p>Maternal and newborn characteristics (n = 1436)<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0170192#t001fn001" target="_blank">¹</a>.</p

Conditional weight gain during pregnancy and infant birth size¹ (n = 1436).

<p>Conditional weight gain during pregnancy and infant birth size<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0170192#t003fn001" target="_blank">¹</a> (n = 1436).</p

Weight gain during pregnancy and risk for SGA¹.

<p>Weight gain during pregnancy and risk for SGA<a href="http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0170192#t004fn002" target="_blank">¹</a>.</p

Associations between selected factors and outcomes.

Associations between selected factors and outcomes.</p

Supply of different food groups Bangladesh between 2010–2019 (kg/capita/year).

Source: FAOstat website: http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#data/FBS. (DOCX)</p

Socio-economic inequality in underweight, overweight/obesity, diabetes and hypertension among women and men by survey round, Bangladesh 2004–2018.

1Negative values mean that the burden is more concentrated in the poor and positive values mean that the burden is more concentrated in the wealthy. *,**,*** Significant difference for inequality between Q1 and Q5: *P.05, **PP (DOCX)</p

The nutrition and health risks faced by pregnant adolescents: Insights from a cross-sectional study in Bangladesh

<div><p>Little is known about nutrition and well-being indicators of pregnant adolescents and the availability and use of nutrition interventions delivered through maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) programs. This study compared the differences between pregnant adolescents and adult pregnant women in services received, and in maternal and child nutrition and health conditions. A survey of 2,000 recently delivered women with infants <6 months of age was carried out in 20 sub-districts in Bangladesh where MNCH program is being implemented. Differences in service use and outcomes between pregnant adolescents and adult women were tested using multivariate regression models. The coverage of antenatal care and nutrition services was similar for adolescent and adult mothers. Compared to adult mothers, adolescent mothers had significantly fewer ownership of assets and lower decision making power. Adolescent mothers weighed significantly less than adult women (45.8 vs 47.1 kg, p = 0.001), and their body mass index was significantly lower (19.7 vs 21.3, p = 0.001). Adolescents recovered later and with greater difficulty after childbirth. Infants of adolescent mothers had significant lower height-for-age z-score (-0.89 vs -0.74, p = 0.04), lower weight-for age z-score (-1.21 vs -1.08, p = 0.02) and higher underweight prevalence (22.4% vs 17.9%, p = 0.04) compared to infants of adult women. In conclusion, this study confirms that adolescent pregnancy poses substantial risks for maternal and infant outcomes, and emphasizes that these risks are significant even where services during pregnancy are available and accessed. A focus on preventing adolescent pregnancy is imperative, while also strengthening health and nutrition services for all pregnant women, whether adult or adolescent.</p></div

Trends in BMI, overweight/obesity, and underweight among women and men by survey round, Bangladesh 2004–2018¹.

(A) Distributions of BMI by survey round. (B) Distributions of BMI by age and survey round. (C) Prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity by survey round. 1Underweight was defined as BMI 2 and overweight/obese as BMI ≥ 23 kg/m2, according to the criteria for Asian populations. Values in (A) and (B) are mean and 95% confidence interval bands. Values in (C) are mean and 95% confidence interval points.</p