Different methods for assessing gestational weight gain and its association with birth weight

Abstract

Objective: To analyze different methods of assessment gestational weight gain in identifying women with a greater chance of live births small for gestational age (SGA) and large for gestational age (LGA). Methods: Cross-sectional study, with adult women, pregestational BMI normal, single pregnancy and gestational age at delivery ≥28 weeks, from Birth in Brazil study, between 2011 and 2012. Results: In the 11,000 women in the study, the prevalence of excessive weight gain was 33.1% for Brandão and IOM and Intergrowth 21st . 37.9%. The chance of being born SGA for insufficient weight gain was OR=1.52 (95%CI 1.06;2.19), OR=1.52 (95%CI 1.05;2.20) and OR=1.56 (95%CI 1.06;2.30) for Brandão, IOM and Intergrowth, respectively. Excessive gain, in the same methods, presented OR=1.53 (95%CI 1.28;1.82), OR=1.57 (95%CI 1.31;1.87) and OR=1.65 (95%CI 1.40;1.96) for LGA. Conclusion: compared to the recommendations of the IOM, Intergrowth and Brandão present themselves as alternatives in the identification of SGA and LGA.