Birth weight and gestational age of the Thai infant

Abstract

The birth weights and gestational ages of normal infants born to 1,000 consecutive healthy middle class Thai mothers who fitted the given criteria were studied. The mean gestational period of uncomplicated pregnancies was 280 ± 7 days. 3.3% of pregnancies were prolonged. The mean birth weight of males and females was 3,249 ± 311 g and 3,176 ± 321 g respectively. Males were thus 73 ± 39 g heavier than females. The birth weights of first male and female babies were 92 ± 52 g and 144 ± 56 g respectively, lower than those of subsequent babies. No significant differences in the birth weights of second and subsequent babies were observed. There were no differences in birth weights of infants in which the gestational period ranged from 266 to 298 days.