Stress Processes in Pregnancy and Preterm Birth

2009 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 205-209 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christine Dunkel Schetter
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Risk Factor ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Preterm Labor ◽  
The United States ◽  
Psychological Science ◽  
Important Health ◽  
Important Health Issue ◽  
In Pregnancy

Preterm birth (PTB) is of epidemic proportions in the United States, particularly among African Americans. Its consequences range from risk of infant mortality to lifelong disease and disability. Stress is a contributor to preterm labor and delivery. This article summarizes research on stress as a risk factor for PTB. As is evident in considering the complex mechanisms, psychological science has much to contribute to addressing this important health issue.

scholarly journals The impact of changes in preterm birth among twins on stillbirth and infant mortality in the United States

2014 ◽  
Vol 34 (11) ◽  
pp. 823-829 ◽  
Author(s):  
D Getahun ◽  
K Demissie ◽  
S W Marcella ◽  
G G Rhoads
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
The United States ◽  
The Impact

Infant Mortality among Adolescent Mothers in the United States: A 5-Year Analysis of Racial and Ethnic Disparities

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew D. Moore ◽  
Anne E. Brisendine ◽  
Martha S. Wingate
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Ethnic Disparities ◽  
The United States ◽  
Racial And Ethnic Disparities ◽  
Postneonatal Mortality ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Race Ethnicity ◽  
Racial Ethnic

Objective This study was aimed to examine differences in infant mortality outcomes across maternal age subgroups less than 20 years in the United States with a specific focus on racial and ethnic disparities. Study Design Using National Center for Health Statistics cohort-linked live birth–infant death files (2009-2013) in this cross-sectional study, we calculated descriptive statistics by age (<15, 15–17, and 18–19 years) and racial/ethnic subgroups (non-Hispanic white [NHW], non-Hispanic black [NHB], and Hispanic) for infant, neonatal, and postneonatal mortality. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) were calculated by race/ethnicity and age. Preterm birth and other maternal characteristics were included as covariates. Results Disparities were greatest for mothers <15 and NHB mothers. The risk of infant mortality among mothers <15 years compared to 18 to 19 years was higher regardless of race/ethnicity (NHW: aOR = 1.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06–1.85; NHB: aOR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.04–1.56; Hispanic: aOR = 1.36, 95%CI: 1.07–1.74). Compared to NHW mothers, NHB mothers had a consistently higher risk of infant mortality (15–17 years: aOR = 1.12, 95% CI: 1.03–1.21; 18–19 years: aOR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.15–1.27), while Hispanic mothers had a consistently lower risk (15–17 years: aOR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.66–0.78; 18–19 years: aOR = 0.74, 95% CI: 0.70–0.78). Adjusting for preterm birth had a greater influence than maternal characteristics on observed group differences in mortality. For neonatal and postneonatal mortality, patterns of disparities based on age and race/ethnicity differed from those of overall infant mortality. Conclusion Although infants born to younger mothers were at increased risk of mortality, variations by race/ethnicity and timing of death existed. When adjusted for preterm birth, differences in risk across age subgroups declined and, for some racial/ethnic groups, disappeared. Key Points

Improving Prenatal Health

2013 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-526 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie Guadagno ◽  
Michael Mackert ◽  
Aaron Rochlen
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Pregnancy Outcomes ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infant Mortality Rate ◽  
Birth Preparedness ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Prenatal Health ◽  
In Pregnancy

The U.S. infant mortality rate is among the highest in the developed world, with recent vital statistics reports estimating 6.14 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. Traditional health education and promotion to improve maternal, infant, and child health in the United States has focused only on women, leaving men out of important health messages that may affect pregnancy outcomes as well as family well-being. Recently, public health scholars have suggested that men be included in prenatal health education in an effort to improve birth outcomes and reduce infant mortality. Incorporating men in prenatal health promotion and education has been found to improve overall birth preparedness, reduce the risk of maternal–infant HIV transmission, and reduce perinatal mortality in less-developed nations. Although these results are positive, research on paternal impact in pregnancy outcomes in the United States to date is lacking. This article proposes a U.S.-specific research agenda to understand the current role of men in pregnancy health, as well as actual involvement, barriers, and the influence men can have in prenatal health. A discussion of culture, individual motivations, health care providers, and social marketing is also considered.

scholarly journals The Evidence Regarding Maintenance Tocolysis

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
John P. Elliott ◽  
John C. Morrison
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Maintenance Therapy ◽  
Preterm Delivery ◽  
Drug Administration ◽  
Preterm Labor ◽  
The United States ◽  
Public Health Issue ◽  
Efficacy And Safety

Preterm delivery is a public health issue of major proportion. More than 12% of deliveries in the United States that occur at less than 37 weeks gestation preterm labor (PTL) represents the largest single reason for preterm birth (PTB). Attempts to prevent PTB have been unsuccessful. This paper of maintenance tocolytic therapy will examine the efficacy and safety of the drugs, both oral and subcutaneous, which have been utilized for prolongation of pregnancy following successful arrest of a documented episode of acute preterm labor. The evidence for oral tocolytics as maintenance therapy as well as parenteral medications for such patients is offered. Finally, the effects in the United States of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) action on such medications are reported.

The Contribution of Preterm Birth to Infant Mortality Rates in the United States

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 118 (4) ◽  
pp. 1566-1573 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. M. Callaghan ◽  
M. F. MacDorman ◽  
S. A. Rasmussen ◽  
C. Qin ◽  
E. M. Lackritz
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
The United States ◽  
Mortality Rates

Trends in Preterm-Related Infant Mortality by Race and Ethnicity, United States, 1999–2004

2007 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 635-641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marian F. MacDorman ◽  
William M. Callaghan ◽  
T. J. Mathews ◽  
Donna L. Hoyert ◽  
Kenneth D. Kochanek
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Mortality Rate ◽  
Infant Mortality ◽  
Race And Ethnicity ◽  
The United States ◽  
Infant Mortality Rate ◽  
Black Mothers ◽  
Infant Deaths ◽  
Hispanic White

Trends in preterm-related causes of death were examined by maternal race and ethnicity. A grouping of preterm-related causes of infant death was created by identifying causes that were a direct cause or consequence of preterm birth. Cause-of-death categories were considered to be preterm-related when 75 percent or more of total infant deaths attributed to that cause were deaths of infants born preterm, and the cause was considered to be a direct consequence of preterm birth based on a clinical evaluation and review of the literature. In 2004, 36.5 percent of all infant deaths in the United States were preterm-related, up from 35.4 percent in 1999. The preterm-related infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic black mothers was 3.5 times higher and the rate for Puerto Rican mothers was 75 percent higher than for non-Hispanic white mothers. The preterm-related infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic black mothers was higher than the total infant mortality rate for non-Hispanic white, Mexican, and Asian or Pacific Islander mothers. The leveling off of the U.S. infant mortality decline since 2000 has been attributed in part to an increase in preterm and low-birthweight births. Continued tracking of preterm-related causes of infant death will improve our understanding of trends in infant mortality in the United States.

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