Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 July 2008
Using routinely collected data for 184,000 Scottish singleton live births in 1980–82, nine maternal factors were related to changes in the distribution of birthweight for given gestational age. Maternal height and marital status were associated with overall shifts in the distribution. In contrast, social class, a previous perinatal death or two or more previous spontaneous abortions in multiparae were primarily associated with increased risk of a small-for-gestational-age infant. A history of caesarean section or three or more previous live births was associated with increased risk of a large-for-gestational-age infant. The results of this population study were generally consistent with reported hospital-based findings.