Preterm birth unrelated to maternal height in Asian women with singleton gestations

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether maternal height has a significant effect on the length of gestation or the incidence of preterm birth in Asian women w ith singleton gestations. METHODS: We retrospectively studied a cohort of consecutive adult Asian wom en with singleton gestations who delivered in a 2-year period, to determine the relationship between maternal height, expressed in quartiles, and the mean gestational age and incidence of preterm birth. RESULTS: Of the 9819 deliveries during that period, 449 were excluded from analysis because of multiple gestation, maternal age less than 20 years, or incomplete data because of no antenatal care in our hospital. The 25th, 50 th, and 75th percentile values of maternal height were 152, 156, and 160 cm , respectively. Significant differences were found in the maternal age, wei ght and body mass index (BMI), birth weight, and birth weight as a percenta ge of maternal weight, among the four quartiles, but the trend for age, BMI , and birth weight percentage was opposite to that of maternal weight and b irth weight. However, there was no significant difference in the mean gesta tional age or incidence of preterm birth at less than 28, 28-31, or 32-36 w eeks' gestation. There was no difference in the incidence of pregnancies be yond 41 weeks' gestation. CONCLUSION: Maternal stature does not have a significant influence on the m ean gestational age or incidence of preterm birth in adult Asian women with singleton gestations. Copyright (C) 2001 by the Society for Gynecologic In vestigation.