(314) Small for gestational age offspring of short stature mothers and the risk of respiratory morbidity

: A population-based retrospective cohort study including all SGA offspring born between the years 1991-2021 at a tertiary medical center. Total and subtypes of respiratory related pediatric hospitalizations among SGA offspring of short-statured mothers were compared to SGA offspring of non-short mothers. A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was used to compare the cumulative respiratory morbidity incidence, and a Cox proportional hazards model was constructed to adjust for confounders. Infants with congenital malformations and multiple gestation were excluded from the analysis.

Results:

The study population included 16,210 newborns which met the inclusion criteria; 1088 (6.7%) were born to short-stature mothers. SGA offspring of short-stature mothers had significantly higher rates of long- term respiratory related hospitalizations as compared to SGA offspring of non-short mothers (11.2% vs. 8.2%, p< 0.001 [table]; Kaplan-Meier survival curve p< 0.001 [figure]).  Using a Cox proportional hazards model, controlling for maternal age and comorbidities, as well as gestational age and mode of delivery, the association remained significant (Adjusted HR=1.2, 95% CI 1.1-1.3, p</em> < 0.001).

Conclusion:

SGA offspring of short stature mothers are actually at an increased risk for pediatric respiratory morbidity in comparison to SGA offspring of non-short mothers.