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Subfertility and the risk of low birth weight

Williams MA et al., 1991

Fertility and sterility, 56(4), 668-671

DOI 10.1016/s0015-0282(16)54597-x PMID 1915940 Source

Abstract

Objective

We evaluated the association between subfertility and low birth weight infants.

Design

Women in this analysis participated in a cross-sectional investigation of maternal risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Setting

Medical and obstetric history and life style information were obtained from women who delivered at the Boston Hospital for Women, 1977 to 1980. PATIENTS,

Participants

Our analysis was restricted to nondiabetic married women who planned their pregnancies and subsequently delivered viable singletons (3,622). The 644 "subfertile" women (no conception during a year of unprotected intercourse) were compared with 2,978 "fertile" women (conception within 1 year). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE(S): The relative risk of low birth weight was estimated using the cumulative incidence risk ratio.

Results

After adjusting for confounding, the relative risk of delivering a low birth weight infant (less than 2,500 g) for subfertile women versus fertile women was 1.9 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3 to 2.8). The adjusted relative risk of delivering a term low birth weight (intrauterine growth retarded) infant was 2.3 (95% CI, 1.2 to 4.4).

Conclusions

In these data, subfertility is a predictor for low birth weight. The association may result from endocrinological, immunological, cervical, or other factors that interfere with optimal fetal growth.

Topics

Infertility > Unexplained > OutcomesPregnancy > Outcomes > ComplicationsReproductive Endocrinology > Ovulation > Physiology
subfertility low birth weight risk, infertility and intrauterine growth restriction, time to pregnancy and fetal growth, subfertile women pregnancy outcomes, low birth weight infertility association, delayed conception and birth weight, intrauterine growth retardation subfertility, endocrine factors fetal growth restriction, subfertility as predictor adverse outcomes, infertility and small for gestational age

Cite this article

Williams, M. A., Goldman, M. B., Mittendorf, R., & Monson, R. R. (1991). Subfertility and the risk of low birth weight. *Fertility and sterility*, *56*(4), 668-671. https://doi.org/10.1016/s0015-0282(16)54597-x

Keywords

Coffee, Female, Humans, Infant, Low Birth Weight, Newborn, Infertility, Pregnancy, Regression Analysis, Risk Factors

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