THE EFFECT OF HEAVY MATERNAL WORKLOAD ON FETAL GROWTH-RETARDATION ANDPRETERM DELIVERY - A STUDY AMONG SOUTHERN THAI WOMEN

Heavy maternal workloads are considered to be hazardous to the fetus. The effects of physical activity during pregnancy on Low birth weight (LBW), small for gestational age (SGA), and prematurity were assessed from a sample of 1797 women in a follow-up study at the antenatal clin ic Of two hospitals in southern Thailand. The women were interviewed t wice, at 17 and 32 gestational weeks, Outcome data were obtained from medical records and the newborn gestational age determined using Dubow itz's score, The risk of SGA was elevated for women working >50 hours/ week, squatting in work, commuting >1 hour/day, and having high psycho logical job demands; the risk of preterm delivery teas increased with obstetrical complications, Women who worked long hours and had demandi ng work conditions had an elevated ti;sk of giving birth to SGA infant s but not of preterm delivery.