Perinatal Outcomes and Factors Associated with Ethnic Group in cases of Preterm Birth: the Multicenter Study on Preterm Birth in Brazil

Abstract

Objective To investigate the characteristics of women who had preterm birth (PTB) and related outcomes according to ethnicity.

Methods A secondary analysis of a multicenter cross-sectional study conducted in Brazil. Women who had PTB were classified by self-report as white and non-white. Clinical, pregnancy, and maternal data were collected through postpartum interviews and reviews of medical charts. The sociodemographic, obstetric and clinical characteristics of the women, as well as the mode of delivery and the neonatal outcomes among different ethnic groups were compared through a bivariate analysis.

Results Of the 4,150 women who had PTB, 2,317 (55.8%) were non-white, who were more likely: to be younger than 19 years of age (prevalence ratio [PR]: 1.05; 95% confidence interval [95%CI]: 1.01–1.09); to be without a partner; to live on low income; to have lower levels of schooling; to have ≥ 2 children; to perform strenuous work; to be from the Northeastern region of Brazil rather than the from Southern region; to have a history of ≥ 3 deliveries; to have an interpregnancy interval < 12 months; to have pregnancy complications such as abortion, PTB, preterm premature rupture of membranes (pPROM), and low birth weight; to initiate antenatal care (ANC) visits in the second or third trimesters; to have have an inadequate number of ANC visits; to be under continuous overexertion; to smoke in the first and second or third trimesters; and to have anemia and gestational hypertension. The maternal and neonatal outcomes did not differ between the groups, except for the higher rate of low birth weight (73.7% versus 69.0%) in infants born to non-white women, and the higher rate of seizures (4.05% versus 6.29%) in infants born to white women.

Conclusion Unfavorable conditions were more common in non-whites than in whites. Proper policies are required to decrease inequalities, especially in the context of prematurity, when women and their neonates have specific needs.

Resumo

Objetivo Investigar as características das mulheres com parto pré-termo e os respectivos resultados de acordo com a etnia.

Métodos Uma análise secundária de um estudo de corte transversal multicêntrico no Brasil. Mulheres com parto pré-termo foram classificadas por autodefinição como brancas ou não brancas. Dados maternos, clínicos, e da gestação foram coletados por entrevista pós-parto e revisão de prontuários. As características sociodemográficas, obstétricas e clínicas das mulheres, o tipo de parto, e os resultados neonatais dos grupos étnicos foram comparados por análise bivariada.

Resultados Das 4.150 mulheres que tiveram parto pré-termo, 2.317 (55,8%) eram não brancas, que com mais frequência: eram menores de 19 anos de idade (razão de prevalência [RP]: 1,05; intervalo de confiança de 95% [IC95%]: 1,01–1,09); não tinham parceiro; eram de baixa renda; tinham baixa escolaridade; tinham ≥ 2 filhos; realizavam trabalho extenuante; provinham mais do Nordeste do que do Sul; tinham histórico de ≥ 3 partos; tinham intervalo interpartal < 12 meses; e tiveram complicações gestacionais como aborto, parto pré-termo, rotura prematura de membranas pré-termo (RPM-PT) e baixo peso ao nascimento; iniciaram as consultas de pré-natal no segundo ou terceiro trimestres; compareceram a um número inadequado de consultas; viviam sob contínua exaustão; fumaram no primeiro e segundo ou terceiro trimestres; e tiveram anemia e hipertensão gestacional. Os resultados maternos e neonatais não diferiram entre os grupos, exceto pela maior taxa de baixo peso ao nascimento (73,7% versus 69,0%) entre as crianças das mulheres não brancas, e e a maior taxa de convulsões (4,05% versus 6,29%) entre as das brancas.

Conclusão Condições desfavoráveis foram mais comuns entre não brancas do que entre brancas. Políticas apropriadas são necessárias para diminuir as diferenças, especialmente no contexto da prematuridade, quando mulheres e seus neonatos têm necessidades específicas.

Keywords

preterm birth - ethnic group - maternal outcomes - perinatal outcomes

Palavras-chave

parto prematuro - grupo étnico - resultados maternos - resultados perinatais

The Brazilian Multicentre Study on Preterm Birth Study Group

Giuliane J Lajos, Marcelo L Nomura, Patricia M Rehder, Tabata Z Dias, Sergio T Marba, Ruth Guinsburg, Francisco E Martinez, Vilma Zotarelli, Lucio T Gurgel, Francisco E Feitosa, George N Chaves, Ana M Porto, Isabela C Coutinho, Antonio C Barbosa Lima, Elias F Melo Jr, Débora F Leite, Melania M Amorim, Adriana SO Melo, Fabiana O Melo, Marília G Martins, Marynea V Nunes, Cláudio S Paiva, Moises D Lima, Djacyr M Freire, Edson G Tristão, Denis J Nascimento, Carlos A Menezes, Marcelo Aquino, Janete Vettorazzi, Cintia E Senger, Augusta MB Assumpção, Marcela AF Guedes, Maria EL Moreira, Vera T Borges, Nelson L Maia Filho, Jacinta P Mathias, Eduardo Souza, Ana CP Zamarian, Silvana M Quintana, Patrícia PS Melli, Fátima A Lotufo, Kaliane Uzilin, Elvira A Zanette, Carla B Andreucci, Tenilson A Oliveira, Laércio R Oliveira, Marcos AN Santos, Nelson Sass, Mirian RF Silveira, Pedro R Coutinho, Luciana Siqueira.

Contributions

The idea for the main study arose from a discussion between RPJ and JGC. The proposal for the current analysis derived from PhD planning for KGF also involving JGC, RPJ and RTS. The analysis plan was prepared, reviewed and performed by KGF, JGC, RTS, RPJ, RPT. All authors observed and made suggestions about the results. KGF wrote the first version of the manuscript, supervised by JGC and RTS. All authors made suggestions, and read and agreed on the last version of the manuscript.

Publication History

Received: 07 January 2021

Accepted: 18 September 2021

Article published online:
06 December 2021

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