Ao. Omigbodun et A. Adewuyi, DURATION OF HUMAN SINGLETON PREGNANCIES IN IBADAN, NIGERIA, Journal of the National Medical Association, 89(9), 1997, pp. 617-621
Analysis of gestation length in an obstetric population of indigenous
African women revealed a mean pregnancy duration of 274.8 days, which
is similar to values recorded in women of African descent elsewhere, b
ut about 1 week less than what generally has been reported in women of
European ancestry and Japanese women. Factors associated with lower p
regnancy duration among these women include increasing maternal age an
d gravidity, and the birth of a male infant. It is concluded that mean
pregnancy duration in Nigerian women is shorter than the 280 days nor
mally used in obstetric calculations. The consistent Finding of a shor
ter length of gestation in these and other black women suggests earlie
r maturity of the fetoplacental unit. Earlier institution of antepartu
m Fetal monitoring in women of African descent, particularly women >30
years old and those with high parity, may reduce the risks of fetal m
orbidity and mortality attributable to postmaturity in their offspring
.