Spontaneous preterm birth: a case-control study

Article Abstract:

Approximately 9 percent of single live births in the US occur prematurely, of which two thirds occur spontaneously. Premature infants are at increased risk for neonatal diseases and death. This study examined risk factors associated with spontaneous premature births. A number of characteristics of 140 women who gave birth prematurely and spontaneously were compared with those of 140 women, matched for age and date of delivery, who gave birth spontaneously at term. More of the women who gave birth prematurely were nonwhite, single, and had completed less than 12 years of schooling. When these demographic variables were controlled for, women who had a history of induced abortion were slightly more likely to deliver prematurely. Women who had previously delivered prematurely were significantly more likely to have delivered prematurely in this group of deliveries. Smoking was also associated with an increased risk for delivering prematurely. Even when smoking was controlled for, women who were underweight were more likely to deliver prematurely. Maternal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) was also associated with an increased risk for delivering prematurely. The results indicated a number of factors associated with an increased risk of delivering prematurely. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Causes of, Risk factors, Pregnant women, Infants (Premature), Premature infants, Smokers, Premature labor

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Epidemiologic predictors of cesarean section in nulliparous patients at low risk

Article Abstract:

The incidence of cesarean section among women expecting a first baby varies according to factors unrelated to medical complications. Correlations were assessed among 6393 women from 109 obstetric and family practices located in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Massachusetts, Missouri, and Wisconsin. Women ranged in age from 18 to 34, and women considered to be at high risk for adverse perinatal outcomes were excluded. The overall cesarean rate among this population of low-risk women of prime childbearing age was 17%. Women carrying male fetuses were 50% more likely to have a cesarean. Increasing maternal age associated with increased likelihood of cesarean. Generally increasing height reduced the odds of cesarean by 36% to 26%, depending on age, but for older women the odds of cesarean increased with height. Prepregnancy weight greater than 10 kg increased the odds by 36%. Giving birth in the St. Louis area increased odds by 33%, and giving birth at a health maintenance organization practice site decreased odds by 23%.

Cesarean section

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Does "incessant" ovulation increase risk for early menopause?

Article Abstract:

Increased numbers of ovulation cycles appears to be associated with early menopause. The reproductive history of a group of 344 women with average age 42.2 years at menopause was compared with 344 age-matched women who were either still menstruating at the time of the survey or who had not ceased menstruation before 46 years old. All women in the early menopause group had ceased menstruation by age 46. The average age at menopause among women in the control group was 49.8 years. Women experiencing early menopause were more likely to begin menstruating at or before age 11. They had shorter menstrual cycles, fewer pregnancies and live births, and fewer periods of not ovulating due to pregnancy or oral contraceptives. They were also more likely to have had one ovary surgically removed and to have more than two cesarean sections (the significance of multiple cesareans is unknown). As a result of these differences, women with early menopause had more ovulatory cycles leading to more rapid loss of egg cells.

Menopause, Ovulation

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