The impact of maternal lifestyle and psychosocial factors on neonatal birth weight in Sri Lanka

2022 Fiscal Year Annual Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 22F22407
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Host Researcher: 春名 めぐみ 東京大学, 大学院医学系研究科(医学部), 教授 (00332601)
• Foreign Research Fellow: PATHIRATHNA MALSHANI 東京大学, 医学(系)研究科(研究院), 外国人特別研究員
• Project Period (FY): 2022-11-16 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: Low birth weight / Maternal nutrition / Maternal lifestyle / Birth cohort / Sri Lanka

Outline of Annual Research Achievements

Birth weight is a significant predictor of mobility and mortality during childhood, as well as diseases in adulthood. Sri Lanka is a lower-middle-income country with a higher rate of low birth weight (LBW). The proposed nationwide prospective birth cohort study aims to identify modifiable risk factors for LBW in the Sri Lankan context, with a particular emphasis on maternal nutrition. We were able to obtain ethical clearance and the necessary administrative approvals from all 25 districts in Sri Lanka during the fiscal year 2022. We initiated the recruitment of study subjects and completed more than 60% of the baseline survey interviews. We also initiated some follow-up interviews.

Current Status of Research Progress

2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.

Reason

From inception to date, we were able to implement the study as expected. Initially, we encountered some challenges in obtaining administrative approvals from certain districts and Medical Officer of Health areas, but we eventually resolved these issues. The participant recruitment process was successful, and we were able to recruit first-trimester pregnant mothers as planned. The data collection methods have been efficient, and we have not faced any major setbacks in this aspect. Overall, aside from the practical challenges of prospective cohort studies, we have not encountered any other problems thus far, and the study is progressing smoothly.

Strategy for Future Research Activity

To date, the study is progressing well as expected, unless there are some difficulties due to the nature of the prospective cohort design. We plan to continue recruiting the remaining number of subjects until it reaches a sample size of 2000. While subject recruitment is ongoing, we plan to conduct follow-up interviews during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy, as well as after the baby's delivery. We will conduct data entry and preliminary data analysis in parallel with the data collection process. We are also planning to do some conference presentations based on the preliminary data analysis findings in the coming months.