Newborn Weight and Large for Gestational Age (LGA) Newborns

Triglycerides have been shown to be a biochemical predictor of newborn weight and risk of large for gestational age (LGA) in a few previous small studies. The objective of this study is to ascertain whether mid-pregnancy fasting serum triglycerides can predict the risk of developing LGA and newborn weight in non-diabetic pregnant mothers.Universal sampling of pregnant mothers attending the antenatal clinic at the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia (HUSM) and nearby clinics between 24 to 32 weeks gestation was carried out. Expectant mothers were screened for exclusion criteria including diabetes, hypertension, pre-eclampsia, fetal anomaly and multiple gestations. Those who were sure of dates and consented for the study were enrolled. Modified oral glucose tolerance test (MOGTT) was performed and fasting serum triglycerides and total cholesterol were analysed. The subjects were followed up at delivery when the period of gestation, the birth weight and the sex of newborn were noted. In NGT subjects, mid-pregnancy high FPG and high triglycerides value could be used to predict risk of getting LGA newborn.