• myGriffith
    • Staff portal
    • Contact Us⌄
      • Future student enquiries 1800 677 728
      • Current student enquiries 1800 154 055
      • International enquiries +61 7 3735 6425
      • General enquiries 07 3735 7111
      • Online enquiries
      • Staff phonebook
    View Item 
    •   Home
    • Griffith Research Online
    • Journal articles
    • View Item
    • Home
    • Griffith Research Online
    • Journal articles
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

  • All of Griffith Research Online
    • Communities & Collections
    • Authors
    • By Issue Date
    • Titles
  • This Collection
    • Authors
    • By Issue Date
    • Titles
  • Statistics

  • Most Popular Items
  • Statistics by Country
  • Most Popular Authors
  • Support

  • Contact us
  • FAQs
  • Admin login

  • Login
  • Seasonal fluctuations in birth weight and neonatal limb length; does prenatal vitamin D influence neonatal size and shape?

    Author(s)
    J. McGrath, John
    Keeping, Douglas
    Saha, Sukanta
    C. Chant, David
    E. Lieberman, Daniel
    O'Callaghan, Michael J.
    Griffith University Author(s)
    McGrath, John J.
    Year published
    2005
    Metadata
    Show full item record
    Abstract
    Background Birth weight is known to fluctuate with season of birth, however, there is little information about seasonal variation in neonatal anthropometric measures. Aims The aim of this study was to examine seasonal fluctuations in birth weight and selected anthropometric measures. Study design and subjects The birth weight of singletons born after at least 37 weeks gestation was extracted from a perinatal register in south-east Queensland (n=350,171). Mean monthly birth weights for this period were examined. Based on a separate birth cohort, principal component analysis was undertaken on neonatal anthropometric ...
    View more >
    Background Birth weight is known to fluctuate with season of birth, however, there is little information about seasonal variation in neonatal anthropometric measures. Aims The aim of this study was to examine seasonal fluctuations in birth weight and selected anthropometric measures. Study design and subjects The birth weight of singletons born after at least 37 weeks gestation was extracted from a perinatal register in south-east Queensland (n=350,171). Mean monthly birth weights for this period were examined. Based on a separate birth cohort, principal component analysis was undertaken on neonatal anthropometric measures (n=1233). Seasonality was assessed by (a) spectral analysis of time series data, (b) monthly and seasonal comparison of outcomes. Results Based on register data, birth weight displayed clear annual periodicity. Birth weight differed significantly when compared by month and season. Infants born in October were the heaviest (3484 g), while May-born infants were the lightest (3459 g; P=0.001). Based on the cohort anthropometric data, three components were identified related to (a) overall size, (b) limb length, and (c) head size and skin-fold thickness. Each of these components displayed significant seasonal variation. In particular, prominent seasonal fluctuations in limb length were identified, with peak limb length associated with winter/spring birth. Conclusion Environmental factors that have regular seasonal fluctuation influence both the size and shape of neonates. Animal experiments suggest that prenatal hypovitaminosis D may underlie greater limb length. Because birth weight and limb length are associated with a broad range of important health outcomes, the seasonal exposures underlying these effects warrant further scrutiny from a public health perspective.
    View less >
    Journal Title
    Early Human Development
    Volume
    81
    Issue
    7
    DOI
    https://doi.org/10.1016/j.earlhumdev.2005.03.013
    Subject
    Epidemiology
    Clinical Sciences
    Paediatrics and Reproductive Medicine
    Cognitive Sciences
    Publication URI
    http://hdl.handle.net/10072/27122
    Collection
    • Journal articles

    Footer

    Disclaimer

    • Privacy policy
    • Copyright matters
    • CRICOS Provider - 00233E

    Tagline

    • Gold Coast
    • Logan
    • Brisbane - Queensland, Australia
    First Peoples of Australia
    • Aboriginal
    • Torres Strait Islander