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Background Although marriage is associated with favourable reproductive outcomes among adult women, it is not known whether the marriage advantage applies to girls (< 18 years). The contribution of girl child marriage (< 18 years) to perinatal health is understudied in the Americas. Methods National singleton birth registrations were used to estimate the prevalence of girl child marriage among mothers in Brazil (2011–2018, N  = 23,117,661), Ecuador (2014–2018, N  = 1,519,168), the USA (2014–2018, N  = 18,618,283) and Canada (2008–2018, N  = 3,907,610). The joint associations between marital status and maternal age groups (< 18, 18–19 and 20–24 years) with preterm birth (< 37 weeks), small-for-gestational age (SGA < 10 percentile) and repeat birth were assessed with logistic regression. Results The proportion of births to < 18-year-old mothers was 9.9% in Ecuador, 8.9% in Brazil, 1.5% in the United States and 0.9% in Canada, and marriage prevalence among < 18-year-old mothers was 3.0%, 4.8%, 3.7% and 1.7%, respectively. In fully-adjusted models, marriage was associated with lower odds of preterm birth and SGA among 20–24-year-old mothers in the four countries. Compared to unmarried 20–24-year-old women, married and unmarried < 18-year-old girls had higher odds of preterm birth in the four countries, and slightly higher odds of SGA in Brazil and Ecuador but not in the USA and Canada. In comparisons within age groups, the odds of repeat birth among < 18-year-old married mothers exceeded that of their unmarried counterparts in Ecuador [AOR: 1.99, 95%CI: 1.82, 2.18], the USA [AOR: 2.96, 95%CI: 2.79, 3.14], and Canada [AOR: 2.17, 95%CI: 1.67, 2.82], although minimally in Brazil [AOR: 1.09, 95%CI: 1.07, 1.11]. Conclusions The prevalence of births to < 18-year-old mothers varies considerably in the Americas. Girl child marriage was differentially associated with perinatal health indicators across countries, suggesting context-specific mechanisms.

Monitoring gestational weight gain (GWG) throughout pregnancy among adolescents is important for detecting individuals at risk and timely intervention. However, there are no specific tools or guidelines for GWG monitoring of this group. We aimed to construct GWG charts for pregnant adolescents (10–19 years old) according to pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) using a pooled dataset from nine Latin American countries. Datasets from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay collected between 2003 and 2021 were combined after data cleaning and harmonization. Adolescents free of diseases that could affect GWG and who gave birth to newborns weighing between 2,500–4,000 g and free of congenital malformations were included. Multiple imputation techniques were applied to increase the sample size available for underweight and obesity categories. Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape were used to construct the charts of GWG according to gestational age. Internal and external validation procedures were performed to ensure that models were not over-adjusted to the data. The cohort included 6,414 individuals and 29,414 measurements to construct the charts and 1,684 individuals and 8,879 measurements for external validation. The medians (and interquartile ranges) for GWG at 40 weeks according to pre-pregnancy BMI were: underweight, 14.9 (11.9–18.6); normal weight, 14.0 (10.6–17.7); overweight, 11.6 (7.7–15.6); obesity, 10.6 kg (6.7–14.3). Internal and external validation showed that the percentages above/below selected percentiles were close to those expected, except for underweight adolescents. These charts describe the GWG throughout pregnancy among Latin American adolescents and represent a significant contribution to the prenatal care of this group. GWG cut-offs based on values associated with lower risks of unfavorable outcomes for the mother-child binomial should be determined before implementing the charts in clinical practice.

While birth weight and weight gain have been associated with hypertension (HT), the association of linear growth, independently of weight gains, has been less well studied. We assessed the independent association of body mass index (BMI) and length at birth and changes in BMI and height during the first two decades of life with adult blood pressure (BP). A birth cohort (n = 1141) was assembled in 1978–79, and followed up at school-age and adulthood. We used conditional length and BMI measures. BMI at birth was inversely associated with HT; c-BMI from school age to adulthood and c-height from birth to school age were positively associated with hypertension. Early adiposity accretion from birth to 9 years and late linear growth from 9 to 24 years were not associated with increased HT. Regarding BP, systolic and diastolic BP presented similar partterns: the lower the BMI at birth the higher the adult BP; the higher the BMI gains in the first 2 decades of life the higher the adult BP; linear accretion only in the first decade of life was associated with adult BP. Linear growth in the first decade of life and fat accretion in the second decade are associated with adults HT.

Small newborns are vulnerable to mortality and lifelong loss of human capital. Measures of vulnerability previously focused on liveborn low-birthweight (LBW) babies, yet LBW reduction targets are off-track. There are two pathways to LBW, preterm birth and fetal growth restriction (FGR), with the FGR pathway resulting in the baby being small for gestational age (SGA). Data on LBW babies are available from 158 (81%) of 194 WHO member states and the occupied Palestinian territory, including east Jerusalem, with 113 (58%) having national administrative data, whereas data on preterm births are available from 103 (53%) of 195 countries and areas, with only 64 (33%) providing national administrative data. National administrative data on SGA are available for only eight countries. Global estimates for 2020 suggest 13·4 million livebirths were preterm, with rates over the past decade remaining static, and 23·4 million were SGA. In this Series paper, we estimated prevalence in 2020 for three mutually exclusive types of small vulnerable newborns (SVNs; preterm non-SGA, term SGA, and preterm SGA) using individual-level data (2010–20) from 23 national datasets (∼110 million livebirths) and 31 studies in 18 countries (∼0·4 million livebirths). We found 11·9 million (50% credible interval [Crl] 9·1–12·2 million; 8·8%, 50% Crl 6·8–9·0%) of global livebirths were preterm non-SGA, 21·9 million (50% Crl 20·1–25·5 million; 16·3%, 14·9–18·9%) were term SGA, and 1·5 million (50% Crl 1·2–4·2 million; 1·1%, 50% Crl 0·9–3·1%) were preterm SGA. Over half (55·3%) of the 2·4 million neonatal deaths worldwide in 2020 were attributed to one of the SVN types, of which 73·4% were preterm and the remainder were term SGA. Analyses from 12 of the 23 countries with national data (0·6 million stillbirths at ≥22 weeks gestation) showed around 74% of stillbirths were preterm, including 16·0% preterm SGA and approximately one-fifth of term stillbirths were SGA. There are an estimated 1·9 million stillbirths per year associated with similar vulnerability pathways; hence integrating stillbirths to burden assessments and relevant indicators is crucial. Data can be improved by counting, weighing, and assessing the gestational age of every newborn, whether liveborn or stillborn, and classifying small newborns by the three vulnerability types. The use of these more specific types could accelerate prevention and help target care for the most vulnerable babies.

This article aims to evaluate the association between birth weight and asthma in adulthood, estimated by employing structural equation modeling. Cohort study with 1,958 participants aged 23-25 years from Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Standardized questionnaires were applied and pulmonary function evaluated, including bronchial reactivity with methacholine. A theoretical model was proposed to explore the effects of birth weight and asthma in adulthood. Asthma, socioeconomic status at birth (Birth SES), and current socioeconomic status (Adult SES) were obtained by constructs. Maternal age, sex, skin color, body mass index (BMI), smoking, parental asthma history, history of respiratory infection before five years old, history of hospitalization for lung disease before two years old, and atopy were the studied variables. 14.1% of participants were diagnosed with asthma. Birth weight was associated with asthma (Standardized Coefficient--[SC.sub.total]=-0.110; p=0.030), and an indirect effect was also observed ([SC.sub.indirect] =-0.220; p=0.037), mediated by hospitalization before two years and respiratory infection before five years. Lower birth weight showed an increased risk of asthma in adulthood and the SES Birth and Adult SES variables underlie this association.

Abstract This article aims to evaluate the association between birth weight and asthma in adulthood, estimated by employing structural equation modeling. Cohort study with 1,958 participants aged 23-25 years from Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brazil. Standardized questionnaires were applied and pulmonary function evaluated, including bronchial reactivity with methacholine. A theoretical model was proposed to explore the effects of birth weight and asthma in adulthood. Asthma, socioeconomic status at birth (Birth SES), and current socioeconomic status (Adult SES) were obtained by constructs. Maternal age, sex, skin color, body mass index (BMI), smoking, parental asthma history, history of respiratory infection before five years old, history of hospitalization for lung disease before two years old, and atopy were the studied variables. 14.1% of participants were diagnosed with asthma. Birth weight was associated with asthma (Standardized Coefficient - SCtotal=-0.110; p=0.030), and an indirect effect was also observed (SCindirect=-0.220; p=0.037), mediated by hospitalization before two years and respiratory infection before five years. Lower birth weight showed an increased risk of asthma in adulthood and the SES Birth and Adult SES variables underlie this association. Resumo O objetivo deste artigo é avaliar associação entre peso ao nascer e asma na vida adulta pela análise de equações estruturais. Estudo de coorte com 1.958 participantes de 23-25 anos, residentes em Ribeirão Preto, São Paulo, Brasil. Foram aplicados questionários padronizados e avaliado a função pulmonar, incluindo hiper-reatividade brônquica com metacolina. O modelo teórico foi proposto para explorar os efeitos do peso ao nascer e asma na vida adulta. Asma, status socioeconômico ao nascimento (SES Nascimento) e status socioeconômico adulto (SES adulto) foram obtidos por um construto. Variáveis estudadas: idade materna, idade, sexo, cor da pele, índice de massa corporal (IMC), tabagismo, história de asma dos pais, história de infecção respiratória antes dos cinco anos, história de internação por doença pulmonar antes dos dois anos e atopia. 14,1% dos participantes foram diagnosticados com asma. Peso ao nascer foi associado com asma (Coeficiente Padronizado - CPtotal=-0,110; p=0,030), e foi observado efeito indireto (CPindireto=-0,220; p=0,037), mediado por internação antes dos dois anos e infecção respiratória antes dos 5 anos. Menor peso ao nascer aumentou o risco para asma na vida adulta e as variáveis SES Nascimento e SES adulto foram subjacentes a esta associação.

This study aimed to estimate the perception and frequency of abuse, disrespect and mistreatment (ADM) situations during childbirth care of 745 women from the Ribeirão Preto birt cohorts. Confidential questionnaires containing one question regarding perceived abuse during childbirth care and other questions addressing exposure to ADM situations were applied. The chi-squared test was used to compare the situations presented between women who did and did not report mistreatment using the Stata 14.0 software. Among the 745 women evaluated, 66.2% were exposed to some situation of ADM and 8.3% reported having perceived ADM. The most frequent situations were that the woman could not eat or drink (30.5%), the woman had her belly squeezed to help the child be born (27.5%), and the woman could not stay with a companion of her choice (25.5%). Women who reported to have suffered maltreatment more frequently responded positively to all situations of ADM when compared to the other participants, except for the following statements: \"I was not allowed to eat or drink anything\" (p = 0.975) and \"I was forced to have a cesarean delivery against my will\" (p = 0.073). Although most women of the Ribeirão Preto cohorts reported exposure to ADM situations during childbirth care, a minority perceived disrespect or mistreatment.

Abstract This study aimed to estimate the perception and frequency of abuse, disrespect and mistreatment (ADM) situations during childbirth care of 745 women from the Ribeirão Preto birt cohorts. Confidential questionnaires containing one question regarding perceived abuse during childbirth care and other questions addressing exposure to ADM situations were applied. The chi-squared test was used to compare the situations presented between women who did and did not report mistreatment using the Stata 14.0 software. Among the 745 women evaluated, 66.2% were exposed to some situation of ADM and 8.3% reported having perceived ADM. The most frequent situations were that the woman could not eat or drink (30.5%), the woman had her belly squeezed to help the child be born (27.5%), and the woman could not stay with a companion of her choice (25.5%). Women who reported to have suffered maltreatment more frequently responded positively to all situations of ADM when compared to the other participants, except for the following statements: “I was not allowed to eat or drink anything” (p = 0.975) and “I was forced to have a cesarean delivery against my will” (p = 0.073). Although most women of the Ribeirão Preto cohorts reported exposure to ADM situations during childbirth care, a minority perceived disrespect or mistreatment. Resumo O objetivo do estudo foi estimar percepção e ocorrência de situações de abuso, desrespeito e maltrato (ADM) na assistência ao parto de 745 mulheres pertencentes às coortes de nascimentos de Ribeirão Preto. Foram aplicados questionários sigilosos contendo uma pergunta sobre percepção de maltrato na assistência ao parto e outras sobre exposição a situações de ADM. Utilizou-se o teste qui-quadrado para comparar as situações apresentadas entres as mulheres que relataram ou não maltrato. A análise foi realizada por meio do programa Stata 14. Das 745 mulheres avaliadas, 66,2% foram expostas a alguma situação de ADM e 8,3% referiram ter percebido ADM. As situações mais frequentes foram: 30,5% não puderam comer nem beber nada; 27,5% tiveram sua barriga apertada para ajudar a criança a nascer; e 25,5% não puderam ficar com acompanhante de sua escolha. Mulheres que afirmaram ter sofrido maltrato apresentaram maiores frequências de respostas positivas a todas situações de ADM quando comparadas com às demais, exceto para os seguintes relatos: “Não me deixaram comer nem beber nada” (p = 0,975) e “Fui forçada a ter parto cesáreo contra minha vontade” (p = 0,073). Apesar de a maior parte das mulheres pertencentes às coortes de Ribeirão Preto relatarem exposição a situações de ADM durante a assistência ao parto, uma minoria percebeu desrespeito ou maltrato.

Monitoring gestational weight gain (GWG) throughout pregnancy among adolescents is important for detecting individuals at risk and timely intervention. However, there are no specific tools or guidelines for GWG monitoring of this group. We aimed to construct GWG charts for pregnant adolescents (10-19 years old) according to pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) using a pooled dataset from nine Latin American countries. Datasets from Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay collected between 2003 and 2021 were combined after data cleaning and harmonization. Adolescents free of diseases that could affect GWG and who gave birth to newborns weighing between 2,500-4,000 g and free of congenital malformations were included. Multiple imputation techniques were applied to increase the sample size available for underweight and obesity categories. Generalized Additive Models for Location, Scale, and Shape were used to construct the charts of GWG according to gestational age. Internal and external validation procedures were performed to ensure that models were not over-adjusted to the data. The cohort included 6,414 individuals and 29,414 measurements to construct the charts and 1,684 individuals and 8,879 measurements for external validation. The medians (and interquartile ranges) for GWG at 40 weeks according to pre-pregnancy BMI were: underweight, 14.9 (11.9-18.6); normal weight, 14.0 (10.6-17.7); overweight, 11.6 (7.7-15.6); obesity, 10.6 kg (6.7-14.3). Internal and external validation showed that the percentages above/below selected percentiles were close to those expected, except for underweight adolescents. These charts describe the GWG throughout pregnancy among Latin American adolescents and represent a significant contribution to the prenatal care of this group. GWG cut-offs based on values associated with lower risks of unfavorable outcomes for the mother-child binomial should be determined before implementing the charts in clinical practice.

This article aims to evaluate the association between birth weight and asthma in adulthood, estimated by employing structural equation modeling. Cohort study with 1,958 participants aged 23-25 years from Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brazil. Standardized questionnaires were applied and pulmonary function evaluated, including bronchial reactivity with methacholine. A theoretical model was proposed to explore the effects of birth weight and asthma in adulthood. Asthma, socioeconomic status at birth (Birth SES), and current socioeconomic status (Adult SES) were obtained by constructs. Maternal age, sex, skin color, body mass index (BMI), smoking, parental asthma history, history of respiratory infection before five years old, history of hospitalization for lung disease before two years old, and atopy were the studied variables. 14.1% of participants were diagnosed with asthma. Birth weight was associated with asthma (Standardized Coefficient--[SC.sub.total]=-0.110; p=0.030), and an indirect effect was also observed ([SC.sub.indirect] =-0.220; p=0.037), mediated by hospitalization before two years and respiratory infection before five years. Lower birth weight showed an increased risk of asthma in adulthood and the SES Birth and Adult SES variables underlie this association. Key words Birth weight, Cohort studies, Asthma, Hospitalization, Infections O objetivo deste artigo e avaliar associacao entre peso ao nascer e asma na vida adulta pela analise de equacoes estruturais. Estudo de coorte com 1.958 participantes de 23-25 anos, residentes em Ribeirao Preto, Sao Paulo, Brasil. Foram aplicados questionarios padronizados e avaliado a funcao pulmonar, incluindo hiper-reatividade bronquica com metacolina. O modelo teorico foi proposto para explorar os efeitos do peso ao nascer e asma na vida adulta. Asma, status socioeconomico ao nascimento (SES Nascimento) e status socioeconomico adulto (SES adulto) foram obtidos por um construto. Variaveis estudadas: idade materna, idade, sexo, cor da pele, indice de massa corporal (IMC), tabagismo, historia de asma dos pais, historia de infeccao respiratoria antes dos cinco anos, historia de internacao por doenca pulmonar antes dos dois anos e atopia. 14,1% dos participantes foram diagnosticados com asma. Peso ao nascer foi associado com asma (Coeficiente Padronizado - [CP.sub.total]=-0,110; p=0,030), e foi observado efeito indireto ([CP.sub.indireto] =-0,220; p=0,037), mediado por internacao antes dos dois anos e infeccao respiratoria antes dos 5 anos. Menor peso ao nascer aumentou o risco para asma na vida adulta e as variaveis SES Nascimento e SES adulto foram subjacentes a esta associacao. Palavras-chave Peso ao nascer, Estudo de coorte, Asma, Internacao, Infeccao