Dino A. Giussani|P Seamus Phillips|Sydney Anstee|D. J. P. Barker
Effects of Altitude versus Economic Status on Birth Weight and Body Shape at Birth
University of Cambridge|MRC Epidemiology Unit|University of Southampton|MRC Epidemiology Unit|University of Southampton|MRC Epidemiology Unit|University of Southampton
compelling evidence linking small size birth later cardiovascular disease renewed amplified clinical scientific interest determinants fetal growth although effects maternal nutrition fetal growth extensively studied comparatively little known effects maternofetal hypoxia study tested hypothesis highland regions high altitude rather maternal economic status associated reduced altered fetal growth investigating effects high altitude versus economic status birth weight body shape birth bolivia bolivia geographically socioeconomically unique contains several highland 3500 sea level lowland 500 cities inhabited economically divergent populations birth weight body length head circumference compared high n 100 low n 100 income region la paz 3649 largest highaltitude city high n 100 low n 100 income region santa cruz 437 largest lowaltitude city addition frequency distribution across continuum birth weights plotted babies born high lowincome families la paz santa cruz mean birth weights lower babies la paz babies santa cruz high lowincome groups cumulative frequency curve across compiled birth weights shifted left babies la paz compared santa cruz regardless economic status frequency low birth weight 2500 g higher babies la paz santa cruz high lowincome groups addition high altitude low altitude high income associated increase head circumferencebirth weight ratio findings suggest high altitude rather economic status associated low birth weight altered body shape birth babies bolivia