Birth weight of newborns and health behaviours and haematological parameters of pregnant women – results of preliminary studies

In individuals born with a low birth weight an increased risk of occurrence of arterial hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiovascular diseases, and type 2 diabetes is observed in adulthood. In individuals born with macrosomia, the risk of occurrence of type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases is also noted in adulthood. Therefore, studies aimed at the identification of risk factors of intrauterine foetal growth disorders are very important. The aim of the study. The objective of the presented study was the evaluation of the relationship between health behaviours and haematological parameters of pregnant women, and birth weight of newborns. Material and methods. The materials for the study were the data concerning 274 women and their babies. Using a questionnaire, information pertaining to the place of living, the body height and weight, cigarette smoking, and the eating habits during pregnancy was collected. Information concerning pregnancy order, the course and duration of pregnancy, as well as haematological parameters were collected based on the analysis of medical records. Results. Women who were underweight before pregnancy more frequently gave birth to small-for-gestational age babies, whereas large-for-gestational age babies were more often born by women who were overweight or obese before conception (p=0.0076), and those with gestational weight gains higher than recommended (p=0.0081). Mothers who gave birth to large-for-gestational age babies had higher values of haematological parameters in the first trimester of pregnancy, compared to the mothers of babies small for gestational age.  No significant differences were found between the consumption of individual groups of products by mothers during pregnancy and birth weight of newborns. Conclusions. Significant differences in birth weight for gestational age were found according to the BMI of the mother before conception and total gestational weight gain in pregnancy. Among overweight or obese women who plan are planning reproduction, the normalization of body weight is recommended in order to decrease the risk of bearing a newborn with hypertrophy.