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5. Birth weight relation to social and biological factors

Birth weight relation to social and biological factors

Vershubskaya G.G., Kozlov A.I.

Lomonosov Moscow State University, Anuchin Research Institute and Museum of Anthropology, Mokhovaya st., 11, Moscow, 125009, Russia

Vershubskaya Galina; ORCID ID: 0000-0003-2452-1532; ggver@ya.ru; Kozlov Andrew I., PhD, D.Sci.; ORCID ID: 0000-0002-6710-4862; dr.kozlov@gmail.com.

Abstract

The aim of the study was to develop a mathematical model describing the birth weight connection to medical, biological, and social factors, employing the contemporary data obtained in various ethnic, racial, and social groups of the Russian Federation. Materials and methods. The original data were gathered from the 1999-2006 labor and delivery medical records. The study subjects (a total n=3055) represent urban and rural population of the six ethno-territorial groups: Mari, Komi, Buryat, and Russians of Perm, the Komi Republic and Buryatia. A complex effect of 15 biological and social factors on the body weight of newborn was tested by the method of multiple regression. Results and discussion. The analysis resulted in a multivariate parametrically linear regression equation that describes the association of birth weight with certain biological and social factors. The proposed model explains about 30% of the birth weight variability. Multiple correlation coefficient R=0.56. The model is adequate (according to Fisher criterion), statistically significant (p < 0.0001) and highly reproducible when tested on sub-samples. Conclusion. Of the variables that have been included in the model, gestational age and maternal weight turned to be the most statistically important predictors of the outcome. Far less significant confounders are maternal marital status, stature, type of residence (village or city), hemoglobin level, age, and the sequential number of birth. The analysis does not account for the highly important characteristics obviously influencing birth weight, such as maternal health conditions and her exposure to toxic substances, nutrition and the quality of medical care.

Keywords

regression model; body size; newborn; gestational age; marital status; urban-rural; birth order; hemoglobin; maternal age

DOI: 10.32521/2074-8132.2020.2.108-112

Цит.: Vershubskaya G.G., Kozlov A.I. Birth weight relation to social and biological factors // Moscow University Anthropology Bulletin (Vestnik Moskovskogo Universiteta. Seria XXIII. Antropologia), 2020; 2/2020; с. 108-112