Predictors of gestational weight gain and its association with post-natal growth of children under two years

Background Although majority of previous studies have investigated the relationship between gestational weight gain (GWG) and pregnancy outcomes, there is a paucity of information on how GWG relates with post-natal growth outcomes. This study assessed the predictors of GWG and how it associates with postnatal growth outcomes of children under two years in the East Mamprusi Municipality of Ghana.

A facility-based analytical cross-sectional study was conducted among 320 mother-child pairs attending child welfare clinics in selected health facilities. Binary logistic regression was used to assess the factors associated with inadequate gestational weight gain and multivariable linear regression was used to identify predictors of length-for-age z scores (LAZ).

Inadequate GWG rate was high in the population at 90.3% based on the recommended IOM criteria on GWG. The key predictors of GWG were first trimester BMI and gravidity. A unit increase in the first trimester BMI was associated with 31 % protection against inadequate rate of GWG, AOR= 0.69 (95% CI: 0.58 to 0.82, and p<0.001). Children of women with inadequate GWG had a significant lower LAZ, compared with their colleagues who were born to women who had adequate GWG [beta coefficient (β), = -0.181 (95% CI: -2.72 to -0.14, p = 0.03)]. Inadequate GWG was associated with low length-for-age z scores (LAZ) among children aged 0-6 months.

There is a need for targeted nutritional programs to support adequate weight gain during pregnancy, especially for mothers with higher gravidity so as to reduce the prevalence of child stunting. Competing Interest Statement The authors have declared no competing interest. Funding Statement The author(s) received no specific funding for this work. Author Declarations I confirm all relevant ethical guidelines have been followed, and any necessary IRB and/or ethics committee approvals have been obtained. Yes The details of the IRB/oversight body that provided approval or exemption for the research described are given below: Ethical clearance for this study was obtained from the University for Development Studies’ Institutional Review Board (UDSIRB) (Reference no. UDS/RB/101/24/). I confirm that all necessary patient/participant consent has been obtained and the appropriate institutional forms have been archived, and that any patient/participant/sample identifiers included were not known to anyone (e.g., hospital staff, patients or participants themselves) outside the research group so cannot be used to identify individuals. Yes I understand that all clinical trials and any other prospective interventional studies must be registered with an ICMJE-approved registry, such as ClinicalTrials.gov. I confirm that any such study reported in the manuscript has been registered and the trial registration ID is provided (note: if posting a prospective study registered retrospectively, please provide a statement in the trial ID field explaining why the study was not registered in advance). Yes I have followed all appropriate research reporting guidelines, such as any relevant EQUATOR Network research reporting checklist(s) and other pertinent material, if applicable. Yes Data Availability The quantitative data presented in the form of SPSS used to support the findings of this study are included within the supplementary information file(s).