Prevalence and influence of maternal undernutrition on intra uterine growth restriction (IUGR) among beninese newborns

This study aimed to identify the contribution of maternal undernutrition, characterized by maternal weight status and short stature, on the risk of Intra Uterine Growth Restriction. During June 2007 and July 2008, we carried out a cross-sectional study in three health centers in Benin. Mothers and newborns characteristics and anthropometric measurements were collected at delivery. IUGR was defined as a birth weight below the 10th percentile of William’s sex-specific reference curve of birth weight-for-gestational-age. Logistic regression was performed for statistical analysis. A total of 526 mothers and their newborns were enrolled. The prevalence of IUGR was 25.3%. Maternal low weight status and short stature (

Keywords: Maternal low weight status-maternal short stature-intra uterine growth restriction-risk factors-Benin.