Work

The effect of high altitude and other risk factors on birthweight: independent or interactive effects?

Year: 1997

Type: article

Abstract: OBJECTIVES: This study examined whether the decline in birth-weight with increasing altitude is due to an independent effect of altitude or an exacerbation of other risk factors. METHODS: Maternal, paternal, and infant characteristics were obtained from 3836 Colorado birth certificates from 1989 through 1991. Average altitude of residence for each county was determined. RESULTS: None of the characteristics related to birthweight (gestational age, maternal weight gain, parity, smoking, prenatal care visits, hypertension, previous small-for-gestational-age infant, female newborn) interacted with the effect of altitude. Birthweight declined an average of 102 g per 3300 ft (1000 m) elevation when the other characteristics were taken into account, increasing the percentage of low birthweight by 54% from the lowest to the highest elevations in Colorado. CONCLUSIONS: High altitude acts independently from other factors to reduce birthweight and accounts for Colorado's high rate of low birthweight.

Source: American Journal of Public Health

DOI: 10.2105/ajph.87.6.1003

Authors: G M Jensen, L G Moore

Institution: University of Colorado Denver

Language: English

Topic: Maternal and Neonatal Healthcare

Subfield: Pediatrics, Perinatology and Child Health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funders: National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute