Intermediate variables as determinants of adverse pregnancy outcome in high-risk inner-city populations.
A probability sample survey of high-risk inner-city women with a live birth in the last 3 years shows that maternal medical risks and health behaviors during pregnancy are important intermediate variables influencing preterm delivery and birthweight. Women who developed two or more medical risks had about three-and-a-half times the risk of preterm delivery and two-and-a-half times the risk of low birthweight compared to those without such risks. Women with prior fetal loss had twofold increase in the risk of preterm delivery and low birthweight. Unintended pregnancy resulted in one-and-a-half to twofold increase in preterm delivery and low birthweight, respectively. Inadequate gestational weight increased the risk of preterm delivery by about 50%. Smoking during pregnancy raised the risk of low birthweight slightly more than one-and-a-half times.
Sharma
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Dept of Health Services Administration, Graduate School of Public Health, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15261.
Synkewecz
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Raggio
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Mattison
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D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007230:Infant, Low Birth Weight; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D007752:Obstetric Labor, Premature; D016017:Odds Ratio; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications; D012307:Risk Factors; D012907:Smoking; D014504:Urban Health; D015430:Weight Gain