To investigate the relationship between prematurity and birth defects.
Study Design
In a population-based cohort study, infants with birth defects were ascertained through the Metropolitan Atlanta Congenital Defects Program, a surveillance system with active methods of ascertainment. Gestational age data were obtained from birth certificates of liveborn, singleton infants with and without birth defects born in the 5-county metropolitan Atlanta area.
Results
Among 264,392 infants with known gestational ages born between 1989 and 1995, 7738 were identified as having birth defects (2.93%). Premature infants (<37 weeks' gestation) were more than two times as likely to have birth defects than term infants (37-41 weeks) (risk ratio = 2.43; 95% CI 2.30-2.56). This relationship was evident for several categories of birth defects. The rate of birth defects varied by gestational age categories, with the highest risk in the 29- to 32-week gestational age category (risk ratio = 3.37).
Conclusions
The risk for birth defects is increased in premature infants. Awareness of this relationship is important for clinicians caring for premature infants. The morbidity and mortality associated with a particular defect may be significantly altered by the presence of prematurity. Further study of this association may provide insight into the etiology of these relatively common problems.
PMID 11343041 11343041 DOI 10.1067/mpd.2001.112249 10.1067/mpd.2001.112249
Cite this article
Rasmussen, S. A., Moore, C. A., Paulozzi, L. J., & Rhodenhiser, E. P. (2001). Risk for birth defects among premature infants: a population-based study. The Journal of pediatrics, 138(5), 668-673. https://doi.org/10.1067/mpd.2001.112249
Rasmussen SA, Moore CA, Paulozzi LJ, Rhodenhiser EP. Risk for birth defects among premature infants: a population-based study. J Pediatr. 2001;138(5):668-673. doi:10.1067/mpd.2001.112249
Rasmussen, S. A., et al. "Risk for birth defects among premature infants: a population-based study." The Journal of pediatrics, vol. 138, no. 5, 2001, pp. 668-673.
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Late preterm infants are at risk for short-term morbidities. We report that late preterm singletons conceived with fertility treatment have increased risk for admission to the neonatal intensive care unit and respiratory support compared with spontaneously conceived infants. Fertility treatment may be a risk factor to consider in managing late preterm infants.
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PregnancyIntrauterine Growth RestrictionNeonatal Mortality and MorbidityPopulation-Based Study
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