SHORT STATURE - AN OBSTETRIC RISK FACTOR - A COMPARISON OF 2 VILLAGESIN TANZANIA

Background. A short maternal stature is associated with an increased r isk of obstructed labor due to cephalopelvic disproportion and most an tenatal programs, including that of Tanzania, designate short women as 'at risk'. Objective. To determine mean maternal height in two obstet ric populations and the effect, if any, of maternity care practices pe rtaining to maternal height, on interventions and outcome of pregnancy and delivery. Methods. A community based study of pregnancy outcome f or women in two villages in rural Tanzania of different profiles and e thnicity. Results. In Ilula 54% of cesarean sections were in the 4% of women under 150 cm and 39% of short women delivered in hospital. In I kwiriri 23% of parturients were under 150 cm and height did not correl ate to the duration of labor, referral patterns or Cesarean section ra tes. There are indications that fertility rate is reduced in short wom en in Ilula but not in Ikwiriri, a result of the problems and risks of Cesarean section for women living in rural areas. Conclusions. The di stribution of maternal height in the population should be considered w hen the cut-off height for the 'at risk' designation is chosen. The im plications of attaching an 'at risk' label is discussed and a call is made for regional specific and agreed risk criteria.