NO RELATION BETWEEN MATERNAL WEIGHT-GAIN AND STILLBIRTH

Background. To evaluate the relationship between stillbirth in singlet on pregnancy (greater than or equal to 28 weeks gestation) and materna l weight (weight gain) from 24 completed weeks. Methods. All fetal dea ths (n = 210) at five delivery units during seven years in southern Sw eden were analysed. To each case a control mother was selected, the on ly matching criteria being parity and place of delivery. Regression an alysis was used for comparison of body weight gain in cases and contro ls. Results. Mothers experiencing stillbirth had a significantly lower mean body weight at 24 weeks gestation than control mothers (63.5 kg vs 67.3 kg; t = 2.4, p < 0.05). No significant difference between case s and controls was found in mean weight gain during pregnancy from 24 completed gestational weeks to delivery, even when the last three meas urements before delivery for cases and controls were compared separate ly. Conclusion. There is no difference in body weight gain between mot hers with stillbirth and mothers giving birth to a live infant.