Incidence of infants born small- and large-for-gestational-age in an Italian cohort over a 20-year period and associated risk factors

摘要

Background We assessed the?incidence of infants born small-for-gestational-age (SGA) and large-for-gestational-age (LGA) in an Italian cohort over 20?years (1993–2013). Furthermore, we investigated maternal factors associated with SGA and LGA births. Methods A retrospective review of obstetric records was performed on infants born in Chieti (Italy) covering every 5th year over a 20-year period, specifically examining data for 1993, 1998, 2003, 2008, and 2013. Infants with birthweight th percentile were defined as?SGA, and those with birthweight >90th percentile?as LGA. Data collected included newborn anthropometry, birth (multiple vs singleton), maternal anthropometry, previous miscarriage, gestational diabetes, hypertension, and smoking?during pregnancy. Results There were a pooled total of 5896 live births recorded across the 5?selected?years. The number of SGA (+60.6?%) and LGA (+90.2?%) births increased considerably between 1993 and 2013. However, there were no marked changes in the incidence of SGA or LGA births (8.3?% and 10.8?% in 1993 versus 7.6?% and 11.7?% in 2013, respectively). Maternal factors associated with increased risk of SGA infants included hypertension, smoking, and previous miscarriage (all p Conclusions There was an increase in the number of SGA and LGA births in Chieti over the last two decades, but there was little change in incidence over time. Most maternal factors associated with increased odds of SGA and LGA births were modifiable, thus incidence could be reduced by targeted interventions.