Abstract

Author(s): Vila Candel, Rafael 1,2; Sanchis Valero, Sheila3; Mateu Ciscar, Cristina4; Bellvis Vázquez, Erica5; Planells López, Encarnación5; Martínez Ballester, Amparo6; Gómez Sánchez, Mª José7; Espuig Sebastian, Rosana8

Background: The assessment of nutritional status of every woman want to be pregnant is essential to optimize the health of the mother, since it is necessary to properly plan both the optimal weight gain, such as food and that will require supplementation. The nutritional status of the mother, before and during pregnancy, is a key determinant of fetal growth and newborn weight.

Aim: identify anthropometric factors influencing birth weight for each category of prepregnancy body mass index (BMI).

Findings: 140 pregnant women were studied. The weights of newborns of obese mothers were higher than those of newborns to mothers in other BMI categories. In the category of low birth weight, birth weight was 3176,5 ± 456,6 kg for normal-weight, 3216,3 ± 451,3 kg for overweight and 3343,6 ± 507,6 kg, and finally, obesity women were 4153,0 ± 648,4 kg.

Conclussions: Maternal prepregnancy BMI is the best predictor associated to birth weight. Measurements of skin-folds, arm circumference and upperarm circumference were not predictors of birth weight. Symphysis fundal height is the best variable with significant association clearer on the birth weight.