Maternal anthropometry as a risk predictor of pregnancy outcome: the Nutrition CRSP in Kenya

Abstract

A longitudinal study on food intake and human function in three countries, within the Nutrition Collaborative Research and Support Program (CRSP), enabled us to follow 247 Embu households in rural Kenya. Food intake, nutritional status, morbidity and a number of household and environmental characteristics were studied longitudinally for one to two years during the period, January 1984 to March 1986. From the available data it was possible to determine whether or not maternal anthropometric indicators had predictive values for identifying the risk of poor maternal pregnancy and infant outcomes. If this was so, then village health workers and traditional midwives would be able to detect women at risk for poor pregnancy outcomes and promote early intervention and referral to more expert treatment.