DURATION OF HUMAN SINGLETON PREGNANCIES IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Citation
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
Citations number
29
Categorie Soggetti
Medicine, General & Internal
ISSN journal
00279684
Volume
89
Issue
9
Year of publication
1997
Pages
617 - 621
Database
ISI
SICI code
0027-9684(1997)89:9<617:DOHSPI>2.0.ZU;2-7
Abstract
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 .