Effect of maternal constitutional factors and weight increase in pregnancy on the neonatal measurements of weight and length

: The significance of maternal constitutional factors and of maternal body weight increase during pregnancy for the condition of the newborn was investigated in 9,578 pregnancies. Statistical calculations were made by means of two-dimensional contingency table analyses. The body size of the mother, her relative weight at the beginning of pregnancy and the increase of body weight during pregnancy were correlated positively with the measures of the newborn. The weight of newborn has been mostly influenced by the maternal body size. It seems to be necessary to include the maternal constitution in the clinical valuation of the newborn status. The use of regional correction tables enables a more exact identification of hypotrophic newborns.