Preconception Cardiometabolic Markers and Birth Outcomes Among Women in the Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos

Abstract

Background:

Associations between preconception cardiometabolic markers and birth outcomes have been noted, but data are scarce for Hispanics/Latinos. We examined the association between preconception cardiometabolic markers, birthweight and preterm birth among U.S. Hispanic/Latina women.

Materials and Methods:

The Hispanic Community Health Study/Study of Latinos is a cohort study of U.S. adults 18–74 years of age, including 3,798 women of reproductive age (18–44 years) from four field centers representing Hispanic/Latino backgrounds of Cuban, Dominican, Mexican, Puerto Rican, Central American, and South American. A baseline clinic examination (2008–2011) and a second clinic examination (2014–2017), including ascertainment of birth outcomes, allowed for identification of 517 singleton live births between the exams. Preconception cardiometabolic markers included abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥88 cm), body mass index >30 kg/m², high blood pressure (systolic ≥120 mmHg and diastolic ≥80 mmHg), elevated triglycerides (≥150 mg/dL), low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (<50 mg/dL), elevated fasting glucose (≥100 mg/dL), and insulin. Complex survey linear regression modeled the association between cardiometabolic markers and birthweight-for-gestational age z-score; complex survey logistic regression modeled the association with preterm birth. Analyses adjusted for Hispanic/Latina background, field center, years between baseline and birth, age, and nulliparity.

Results:

In adjusted linear regression models, elevated fasting glucose was associated with higher birthweight z-scores (β = 0.56, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 0.14 to 0.99), even after further adjustment for maternal percent body fat (β = 0.53, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.95). In adjusted logistic regression models, high blood pressure (odds ratio [OR] = 2.57, 95% CI 1.13 to 5.88) and increased insulin (OR = 1.50, 95% CI 1.06 to 2.14, for a 10 mU/L increase) were associated with higher odds for preterm birth.

Conclusions:

Infant birthweight and preterm birth may be influenced by selected cardiometabolic risk factors before pregnancy among Hispanic/Latina women.