Maternal multimorbidity, lifestyle behaviours during pregnancy, and early-childhood growth trajectories: a population-based longitudinal study
1
School of Public Health, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):A2332
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
The burden of chronic conditions is increasing in women during pregnancy, but maternal multimorbidity and associated long-term effects on children have not been well-studied. This study examines the associations of maternal multimorbidity and lifestyle behaviours with growth trajectories in children.
METHODS:
This prospective study used data of women who gave live birth between July 2020–June 2021 in China. Information of 15 medical conditions were extracted from electronic information system, and multimorbidity was defined as presence of two or more of these chronic conditions. Maternal lifestyle score was constructed based on physical activity, sleep duration and quality, regularity of daily meals, and dietary preference during pregnancy. Children’s body mass index (BMI) was measured ten times, from birth to 36 months. Latent class growth mixed model was conducted to identify growth trajectories in children using age- and sex-specific BMI z-scores.
RESULTS:
Among 22,431 mother-child pairs, 1,288 (5.7%) mothers were screened for multimorbidity during pregnancy. Children born to mothers with multimorbidity had 79% increased odds of experiencing low birth weight with accelerate BMI gain (odds ratio: 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.38-2.32). There is a dose-response relationship between number of maternal chronic conditions and growth trajectory, with the odds ranging from 1.07 (0.89-1.29) for one condition to 1.95 (1.00-3.79) for three or more conditions. The significantly rapid rate of BMI gain among these children occurred within the first eight months. Children born to mothers with multimorbidity and unfavourable lifestyles were associated with 3.94-fold (1.56-9.92) increased odds of low birth weight with accelerate BMI gain.
CONCLUSIONS:
Maternal multimorbidity and unfavourable lifestyles during pregnancy are associated with higher odds of children experiencing low birth weight with accelerate BMI gain. The provision of high quality comprehensive integrated antenatal care with healthy lifestyle education and interventions are required for all women and especially for women with multimorbidity.
The burden of chronic conditions is increasing in women during pregnancy, but maternal multimorbidity and associated long-term effects on children have not been well-studied. This study examines the associations of maternal multimorbidity and lifestyle behaviours with growth trajectories in children.
METHODS:
This prospective study used data of women who gave live birth between July 2020–June 2021 in China. Information of 15 medical conditions were extracted from electronic information system, and multimorbidity was defined as presence of two or more of these chronic conditions. Maternal lifestyle score was constructed based on physical activity, sleep duration and quality, regularity of daily meals, and dietary preference during pregnancy. Children’s body mass index (BMI) was measured ten times, from birth to 36 months. Latent class growth mixed model was conducted to identify growth trajectories in children using age- and sex-specific BMI z-scores.
RESULTS:
Among 22,431 mother-child pairs, 1,288 (5.7%) mothers were screened for multimorbidity during pregnancy. Children born to mothers with multimorbidity had 79% increased odds of experiencing low birth weight with accelerate BMI gain (odds ratio: 1.79, 95% confidence interval: 1.38-2.32). There is a dose-response relationship between number of maternal chronic conditions and growth trajectory, with the odds ranging from 1.07 (0.89-1.29) for one condition to 1.95 (1.00-3.79) for three or more conditions. The significantly rapid rate of BMI gain among these children occurred within the first eight months. Children born to mothers with multimorbidity and unfavourable lifestyles were associated with 3.94-fold (1.56-9.92) increased odds of low birth weight with accelerate BMI gain.
CONCLUSIONS:
Maternal multimorbidity and unfavourable lifestyles during pregnancy are associated with higher odds of children experiencing low birth weight with accelerate BMI gain. The provision of high quality comprehensive integrated antenatal care with healthy lifestyle education and interventions are required for all women and especially for women with multimorbidity.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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