Birth-weight differences at term are explained by placental dysfunction and not by maternal ethnicity. Study in newborns of first generation immigrants

Abstract

Objective

The aim of the study was to investigate the influence of ethnicity and cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) on the birth weight (BW) of first generation Indo-Pakistan immigrants’ newborns.

Methods

This was a retrospective study in a mixed population of 620 term Caucasian and Indo-Pakistan pregnancies, evaluated in two reference hospitals of Spain and Italy. All fetuses underwent a scan and Doppler examination within two weeks of delivery. The influence of fetal gender, ethnicity, GA at delivery, CPR, maternal age, height, weight and parity on BW was evaluated by multivariable regression analysis.

Results

Newborns of first generation Indo-Pakistan immigrants were smaller than local Caucasian newborns (mean BW mean= 3048 ± 435 g versus 3269 ± 437 g, p < .001). Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that all studied parameters, but maternal age and ethnicity, were significantly associated with BW. The most important were GA at delivery (partial R² = 0.175, p < .001), CPR (partial R² = 0.032, p < .001), and fetal gender (partial R² = 0,029, p < .001).

Conclusions

The propensity to a lower BW, explained by placental dysfunction but not by maternal ethnicity is transmitted to newborns of first generation immigrants. Whatever are the factors implied they persist in the new residential setting.

Keywords:

• Cerebroplacental ratio
• fetal Doppler
• fetal growth
• fetal nutrition
• birth weight
• ethnicity
• first generation immigrants

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

Borsa di Specializzazione médica Griffini Miglierina, Varese, Italy.