Seasonality of birth outcomes in rural Sarlahi District, Nepal: a population-based prospective cohort

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth

James M Tielsch²  Gary L Darmstadt¹  Steven C LeClerq⁴  Subarna K Khatry⁴  Luke C Mullany³  Joanne Katz³  Michelle M Hughes³ 

[1] Global Development Division, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, Seattle, WA, USA;Department of Global Health, Milken Institute School of Public Health, George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA;Department of International Health, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, 615 North Wolfe Street, Baltimore, Maryland 21205, USA;Nepal Nutrition Intervention Project–Sarlahi, Kathmandu, Nepal

关键词: Preterm birth;    Season;    Neonatal mortality;    Intrauterine growth restriction;    Low birth weight;    Gestational age;   

Others  :  1125516
DOI  :  10.1186/1471-2393-14-310

 received in 2014-03-06, accepted in 2014-09-01,  发布年份 2014

【 摘 要 】

Background

While seasonality of birth outcomes has been documented in a variety of settings, data from rural South Asia are lacking. We report a descriptive study of the seasonality of prematurity, low birth weight, small for gestational age, neonatal deaths, and stillbirths in the plains of Nepal.

Methods

Using data collected prospectively during a randomized controlled trial of neonatal skin and umbilical cord cleansing with chlorhexidine, we analyzed a cohort of 23,662 babies born between September 2002 and January 2006. Project workers collected data on birth outcomes at the infant’s household. Supplemental data from other studies conducted at the same field site are presented to provide context. 95% confidence intervals were constructed around monthly estimates to examine statistical significance of findings.

Results

Month of birth was associated with higher risk for adverse outcomes (neonatal mortality, low birthweight, preterm, and small for gestational age), even when controlling for maternal characteristics. Infants had 87% (95% CI: 27 – 176%) increased risk of neonatal mortality when born in August, the high point, versus March, the low point.

Conclusion

Seasonality of neonatal deaths, stillbirths, birth weight, gestational age, and small for gestational age were found in Nepal. Maternal factors, meteorological conditions, infectious diseases, and nutritional status may be associated with these adverse birth outcomes. Further research is needed to understand the causal mechanisms that explain the seasonality of adverse birth outcomes.

【 授权许可】

   
2014 Hughes et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

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