ArticleBMJ open2023
Weighting of risk factors for low birth weight: a linked routine data cohort study in Wales, UK.
Article in BMJ open, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 11 papers, 2 of them syntheses that pooled it.
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Who cites it
11 citing papers in PubMed, 2 syntheses or guidelines pooled it.
- Parental and childhood exposures and the risk of retinoblastoma, hepatoblastoma, and germ cell, bone, and soft tissue tumors in children: a systematic review and meta-analysis.Frontiers in oncology · 2026Pooled it
- The invisible enemy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of maternal smokeless tobacco use as a risk factor for low birth weight.PloS one · 2024Pooled it
- Risk factors for low birthweight among multinational mothers: results from the first population-based maternal and infant health monitoring system in the capital emirate of the United Arab Emirates.BMC pregnancy and childbirth · 2026Article
- Article
- The intergenerational health, social care, and justice system contacts associated with household substance misuse in Wales.International journal of population data science · 2026Article
- Predicting Low Birth Weight in Big Cities in the United States Using a Machine Learning Approach.International journal of environmental research and public health · 2025Article
- Perinatal outcomes of women with recurrent pregnancy loss undergoing frozen embryo transfer from the Society of Assisted Reproductive Technology database.Fertility and sterility · 2025Article
- Enhancing birth weight outcomes through improved antenatal care in West African countries: Evidence from propensity score matching analysis.PLOS global public health · 2025Article
- Cannabis Use during Pregnancy: An Update.Medicina (Kaunas, Lithuania) · 2024Review
- Cohort profile: Born in Wales-a birth cohort with maternity, parental and child data linkage for life course research in Wales, UK.BMJ open · 2024Article
- Differentiated thyroid cancer and adverse pregnancy outcomes: a propensity score-matched retrospective cohort study.Frontiers in pediatrics · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
13 authors.
Funding
Abstract
objectiveGlobally, 20 million children are born with a birth weight below 2500 g every year, which is considered as a low birthweight (LBW) baby. This study investigates the contribution of modifiable risk factors in a nationally representative Welsh e-cohort of children and their mothers to inform opportunities to reduce LBW prevalence.
designA longitudinal cohort study based on anonymously linked, routinely collected multiple administrative data sets.
participantsThe cohort, (N=693 377) comprising of children born between 1 January 1998 and 31 December 2018 in Wales, was selected from the National Community Child Health Database. OUTCOME MEASURES: The risk factors associated with a binary LBW (outcome) variable were investigated with multivariable logistic regression (MLR) and decision tree (DT) models.
resultsThe MLR model showed that non-singleton children had the highest risk of LBW (adjusted OR 21.74 (95% CI 21.09 to 22.40)), followed by pregnancy interval less than 1 year (2.92 (95% CI 2.70 to 3.15)), maternal physical and mental health conditions including diabetes (2.03 (1.81 to 2.28)), anaemia (1.26 (95% CI 1.16 to 1.36)), depression (1.58 (95% CI 1.43 to 1.75)), serious mental illness (1.46 (95% CI 1.04 to 2.05)), anxiety (1.22 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.38)) and use of antidepressant medication during pregnancy (1.92 (95% CI 1.20 to 3.07)). Additional maternal risk factors include smoking (1.80 (95% CI 1.76 to 1.84)), alcohol-related hospital admission (1.60 (95% CI 1.30 to 1.97)), substance misuse (1.35 (95% CI 1.29 to 1.41)) and evidence of domestic abuse (1.98 (95% CI 1.39 to 2.81)). Living in less deprived area has lower risk of LBW (0.70 (95% CI 0.67 to 0.72)). The most important risk factors from the DT models include maternal factors such as smoking, maternal weight, substance misuse record, maternal age along with deprivation-Welsh Index of Multiple Deprivation score, pregnancy interval and birth order of the child.
conclusionResources to reduce the prevalence of LBW should focus on improving maternal health, reducing preterm births, increasing awareness of what is a sufficient pregnancy interval, and to provide adequate support for mothers' mental health and well-being.
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