Table 1 Comparison of characteristics of the participants included and excluded in the analysis
Characteristic | Included (n = 1002) | Excluded (n = 377) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
Gestation weeks at delivery, mean (SD) | 39.8 (1.5) | 37.0 (4.9) | <0.0001* |
Maternal age, years, mean (SD) | 24.5 (5.8) | 25.3 (6.1) | 0.214 |
Gravidity, number (%) | |||
 Primigravidae | 199 (19.9%) | 104 (27.6%) | 0.002* |
 Secundigravidae | 201 (20.1%) | 80 (21.2%) | 0.630 |
 Multigravidae | 600 (59.9%) | 192 (50.9%) | 0.003* |
Low socio-economic status, number (%) | 554 (55.7%) | 162 (50.9%) | 0.135 |
BMI at enrolment, median (IQR), kg/m2 | 21.6 (20.3, 23.5) | 22.1 (20.4, 23.7) | 0.063 |
HIV infected, number (%) | 129 (13.0%) | 52 (15.9%) | 0.186 |
Maternal haemoglobin levels at 36 gw, median (IQR), g/l | 110 (101, 120) | 115 (106, 123) | 0.052 |
Prevalence of anaemia at 36 gw (Hb <100 g/l), number (%) | 200 (20.9%) | 12 (14.5%) | 0.165 |
Birthweight, mean (SD), g | 3011 (412.8) | 2791 (536.5) | <0.0001* |
Prevalence of low birthweight, <2500 g | 96 (10.3%) | 51 (23.8%) | <0.0001* |
Prevalence of SGA, number (%) | 255 (30.6%) | 54 (29.0%) | 0.668 |
Microscopy at enrolment, number (%) | 107 (10.7%) | 39 (10.4%) | 0.872 |
PCR positivity for malaria at enrolment, number (%) | 245 (25.0%) | 111 (30.2%) | 0.054 |
PCR positivity for malaria at 36 gw, number (%) | 92 (9.3%) | 4 (5.1%) | 0.212 |
Placental malaria | |||
 Active infection | 31 (3.8%) | 11 (5.6%) | 0.257 |
 Past infection | 293 (36.0%) | 55 (28.1%) | 0.037* |
 Uninfected | 489 (60.1%) | 130 (66.3%) | 0.110 |
ITN use at enrolment, number (%) | 399 (72.0%) | 122 (59.5%) | 0.001* |