Recurrence Risk of Low Birthweight Deliveries Among Women with a Prior Very Low Birthweight Delivery

Susan L. Bratton; David A. Shoultz; Michelle A. Williams

doi:10.1055/s-2007-994313

American Journal of Perinatology, Table of Contents

Am J Perinatol 1996; 13(3): 147-150
DOI: 10.1055/s-2007-994313

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Recurrence Risk of Low Birthweight Deliveries Among Women with a Prior Very Low Birthweight Delivery

Susan L. Bratton, David A. Shoultz, Michelle A. Williams

Department of Anesthesiology and Pediatric Critical Care, University of Washington School of Medicine, Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Public Health and Community Medicine, and Public Health Sciences Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, Washington

Abstract

ABSTRACT

To estimate the risk of repeat low birthweight deliveries among women whose first child was very low birthweight (less than 1500 g), a retrospective cohort of women who had their first and second children in Washington state between 1984 and 1991 was studied. After adjustment for potential confounding factors, a woman whose first infant was very low birthweight experienced an 11.5-fold increased risk of delivering a low birthweight (less than 2500 g) second infant (relative risk 11.5, 95% confidence interval 5.4 to 24.4). Women with a very low birthweight first infant also had a significantly increased risk of repeat very low birthweight infant (p <0.0001). Women with a previous very low birthweight delivery are at increased risk of repeat low and very low birthweight infants. This high-risk group may benefit from education regarding recurrence risk and modification of factors associated with low birthweight, as well as good prenatal care.

Keywords

Low birthweight - very low birthweight - smoking

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