Study on the epidemiological characteristics and associated factors of small for gestational age in a large pregnancy cohort in Hebei China.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and associated factors of small for gestational age ( SGA) in Hebei China.

METHODS

463,284 individuals from 22 hospitals of Hebei Province China with singleton live births from Jan 1st, 2013 to Dec 31th, 2023 were included in the study, We analyzed the epidemiological characteristics and associated factors of SGA.

RESULTS

68,423 were diagnosed with SGA, with an incidence rate of 14.7%.The incidence of SGA varies in different regions of Hebei Province, with Shijiazhuang having the highest incidence of 17.40%.The incidence of SGA in provincial and municipal hospitals is higher than that in township hospitals, and the difference is statistically significant( P < 0.001). The incidence rates of SGA in pregnant with reproductive ages < 20 years old, 20-34 years old, and ≥ 35 years old are 22.8%, 14.7%, and 14.5%, respectively. The incidence of SGA in the preterm delivery, PE, anemia, diabetes, placenta previa, placental abruption group was significantly higher (P < 0.01). The multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that low age, low education level, preterm delivery, PE, placenta previa, placental abruption were risk factors for SGA (P < 0.05), and multiple times of gravidity, multipara women, and gestational diabetes were protective factors for SGA (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

There are significant regional and population differences in the incidence of SGA. Personalized preventive measures should be taken for different regions and populations, timely conception, early detection of potential high-risk factors, timely prevention and treatment, to reduce the incidence of SGA.