IS THERE A RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN PREMATURI TY AND WEATHER SITUATIONS

A preselected cluster of births (12351-4719=7632=n) which was divided into 3 groups (delivery between 28-32 gestational weeks, 33-37 gestati onal weeks and >37 gestational weeks) has been correlated with six maj or weather situations of the four meteorologically defined seasons. Th e correlation was made with the date of birth and with one day as well as two days before. The duration of pregnancy was longer by an averag e of 0,45 weeks (i. e. 3 days) when the major weather situation did no t change for more than 8 days. The group with delivery 28-32 weeks is more sensitive to meteorological influences than the group with delive ry 33-37 weeks. During cyclonic as well as during anticyclonic atmosph eric drifts the groups 28-33 wks and 33-37 wks have been statistically over-represented. As far as the season is concerned over-representati on is found in autumn. We conclude that pregnancies at risk of prematu re delivery should be followed up in short intervals during cyclonic a nd anticyclonic atmospheric drifts especially during the autumn season .