Objective To analyze the distribution characteristics, temporal trends, and related factors of neonatal birth weight in Huangshan, Anhui Province, and to provide evidence for the formulation of regional perinatal health care strategies.
Methods Data were obtained from the Huangshan City Maternal and Child Health Information Platform. Clinical records of 37 757 live births delivered at all midwifery institutions in Huangshan City from January 2020 to December 2024 were collected to analyze the distribution of birth weight. The Cochran-Armitage trend tests were applied to examine the temporal trends in the incidence of low birth weight (LBW) and macrosomia, and associated factors influencing neonatal birth weight.
Results The mean neonatal birth weight was (3 258.27±449.34) g, with male infants having a significantly higher mean birth weight than female infants (P<0.001) (3 306.86±455.12) g; (3 206.00±437.05) g. The overall incidence of LBW was 4.13%, increasing from 3.73% in 2020 to 4.66% in 2024, showing a significant upward trend over years (χ²trend=12.75, Ptrend<0.001). The overall incidence of macrosomia was 5.10%, decreasing from 5.79% in 2020 to 4.25% in 2024, showing a significant downward trend over years (χ²trend=17.37, Ptrend<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed on the statistically significant factors identified in univariate analyses (gender, season of delivery, gestational age at birth, number of fetuses, maternal household registration, maternal age, parity, and mode of delivery). The results showed that preterm birth (OR=33.13, 95%CI: 29.22‒37.57), twin pregnancy (OR=10.16, 95%CI: 8.27‒12.49), female sex (OR=1.45, 95%CI: 1.28‒1.64), and cesarean delivery (OR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.07‒1.38) were positively correlated with LBW (all P<0.05), while maternal urban household registration (OR=0.77, 95%CI: 0.66‒0.90) was negatively correlated with LBW. Term birth (OR=14.29, 95%CI: 7.12‒28.67), multiparity (OR=1.34, 95%CI: 1.10‒1.641), cesarean delivery (OR=1.93, 95%CI: 1.76‒2.12), and delivery in summer, autumn and winter (OR=1.15‒1.32) were positively associated with macrosomia (all P<0.05). Twin pregnancy (OR=0.03, 95%CI: 0.01‒0.20) and female sex (OR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.52‒0.64) were negatively associated with macrosomia. Maternal age 35 years old and above showed no statistically significant association with LBW or macrosomia in either models.
Conclusion Significant gender differences in neonatal birth weight were observed in Huangshan City. The rising trend in LBW incidence and the declining trend in macrosomia incidence warrant attention. It is recommended that perinatal care in this region should prioritize early intervention for populations at high risk of preterm birth, mothers with rural household registration mothers, and twin pregnancies, while rationally controlling indications for cesarean delivery to optimize maternal and neonatal outcomes.
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