Inadequate Prenatal Care and Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes
Author Information
Author(s): Heaman Maureen I, Newburn-Cook Christine V, Green Chris G, Elliott Lawrence J, Helewa Michael E
Primary Institution: University of Manitoba
Hypothesis
This study aims to determine the association between inadequate prenatal care and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Conclusion
Inadequate prenatal care is associated with higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the choice of index to measure care utilization can significantly affect the results.
Supporting Evidence
- Rates of inadequate prenatal care ranged from 8.3% to 8.9% depending on the index used.
- Women aged less than 20 years had the highest rates of inadequate care.
- Both indices showed a significant association between inadequate care and small-for-gestational-age births.
Takeaway
If moms don't get enough check-ups during pregnancy, their babies might be born too early or too small. Different ways to measure how much care moms get can show different results.
Methodology
A population-based cohort study analyzing data from a linked mother-baby database and physician claims file for women having singleton live births in Winnipeg from 1991 to 2000.
Potential Biases
Potential selection bias as women receiving adequate care may have other characteristics influencing outcomes.
Limitations
The study relies on administrative data, which may contain coding errors and incomplete information, and does not account for the quality of prenatal care.
Participant Demographics
Women having hospital-based singleton live births in Winnipeg, Manitoba, from 1991 to 2000.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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