Neonatal Outcome and Weight Gain of Black Adolescents

摘要

The study investigated the relationship between maternal weight gain and neonatal outcome (primarily birthweight and gestational age) for black adolescent and adult women of lower socioeconomic status. By comparing young adolescents (YA), older adolescents (OA), and adults (AD), total weight gain and patterns of weight gain were determined. The study subjects were 195 poor black pregnant women who enrolled for prenatal care and who delivered live singleton infants at the Strong Memorial Hospital in Rochester, New York. Personal interviews were conducted to obtain social and medical histories. Weighing, measurements, nutritional evaluation, and laboratory assessments were performed for mothers. Neonates were weighed and measured. Study results indicated that YA began and ended their pregnancies with lower weights than did OA and AD, although the differences were not significant. YA, OA, and AD who had appropriate-for-gestational age, full-term infants gained a similar amount of weight during pregnancy. YA gained significantly more weight during the third trimester than OA and AD.