Impact of the child's birth weight on maternal misperceptions of young children's weight: A retrospective study with nationally representative data

Aim

A young child's abnormal birth weight (BW) can affect a mother's misperceptions of her child's weight, potentially hindering the child's health management. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of children's BW on maternal misperceptions of children's weight during early childhood.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted for 485,095 children who were 54–60 months of age, born between 2011 and 2013, and participated in South Korea's Sixth National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children (NHSPIC). Data on BW, weight, sex, birth year, preterm birth, breastfeeding history, maternal age, mothers' perceptions of the child's weight, and socioeconomic status were collected and incorporated in the final analysis via data linkage between the NHSPIC and Korean healthcare claims information. Multiple logistic regression analysis was applied to identity the impact of BW on mothers' misperceptions of children's weight, after adjustment for all variables.

Results

Low BW (LBW) children had the lowest proportion (57.1%) of mothers who accurately identified their child's weight compared to normal or high BW. LBW was an independent factor affected maternal misperception of the child's weight (underestimation: adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41–1.52; overestimation: aOR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.73–0.97). Overweight or underweight status, male gender, preterm birth, a younger mother, and low socioeconomic status were also associated with both underestimation and overestimation.

Conclusion

LBW emerged as an important risk factor for maternal misperception of a child's weight. Therefore, pediatric nurses need to apply interventions to improve perceptions of children's weight among mothers of young LBW children.