MCH Student:
Regina Molokwu
Date of Defense:
June 27, 2013
Abstract:
This study analyzed data from a retrospective, clinic-based cohort to assess the birth outcomes associated with late entry into prenatal care. The sample included 191 women who enrolled into prenatal care at Community University Health Care Center (CUHCC), Minneapolis MN between January 1 and December 31, 2007. Trimester of enrollment was classified into categories of first, second and third. The birth outcomes analyzed were low birth weight (weight at birth less than 2500 grams), perinatal mortality (intrauterine fetal deaths and deaths within the first week of life) and prematurity (defined as birth before 37 weeks of gestation).
There were no differences across age groups [ p = .89] or ethnicity [ p = .49] in trimester of enrollment into prenatal care. There was a significant difference based on women’s health insurance status [ p = .01], with women who were insured being less likely to enroll into prenatal care. There was no significant association between trimester of enrollment and the three birth outcomes studied: birth weight [OR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.15 – 3.23], perinatal mortality (cases too infrequent for estimation) or prematurity [OR: 0.86; 95% CI: 0.25 – 2.95].
In summary, trimester of enrollment for prenatal care at CUHCC did not vary across established risk factors associated with late entry. In addition, trimester of enrollment was not significantly associated with poor birth outcomes in women enrolled at CUHCC clinic in 2007. This may be due to the small number of women experiencing adverse birth outcomes at CUHCC.