title: Genes and post-term birth: late for delivery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Recent evidence suggests that prolonged pregnancies beyond 42 weeks of gestation (post-term births) are associated with long-term adverse health outcomes in the offspring.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is evidence that post-term birth has not only environmental causes, but also significant heritability, suggesting genetic and/or epigenetic influences interact with environmental cues to affect gestational length.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As prolonged gestation is associated with adverse short- and long-term outcomes in the offspring, further research into the underlying genetic and epigenetic causes of post-term birth could be of importance for improving obstetric management.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Schierding
authors.forename: Justin M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: O'Sullivan
authors.forename: José G B
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Derraik
authors.affiliation: Liggins Institute, University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, New Zealand. w.cutfield@auckland.ac.nz.
authors.forename: Wayne S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Cutfield
mesh_terms: D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005260:Female; D059647:Gene-Environment Interaction; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D005865:Gestational Age; D040941:Heredity; D006801:Humans; D007751:Labor, Induced; D036801:Parturition / Q000235:genetics*; D010641:Phenotype; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012307:Risk Factors; D047929:Term Birth; D013997:Time Factors