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.