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Early or recurrent preterm birth and maternal cardiovascular disease risk

Janet M Catov1, Chun Sen Wu, Jorn Olsen

  • 1Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Sciences and Epidemiology, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA. catovjm@upmc.edu

Annals of Epidemiology
|July 9, 2010
PubMed

Insights

Preterm birth (PTB) increases the risk of maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD). Recurrent PTB poses a significantly higher CVD risk, indicating shared underlying causes for these conditions.

Area of Science:

  • Reproductive Health
  • Cardiovascular Epidemiology
  • Perinatal Medicine

Background:

  • Preterm birth (PTB) is a known risk factor for later maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • The association between the severity and recurrence of PTB and maternal CVD risk requires further investigation.
  • Understanding these links is crucial for early identification and prevention strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the relationship between preterm birth (PTB) severity and recurrence and the subsequent risk of maternal cardiovascular disease (CVD).
  • To determine if early or recurrent PTB is associated with a more pronounced risk of maternal CVD.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort study of 427,765 women in Denmark with births between 1973-1983.
  • Linking birth data to national registers of maternal CVD morbidity and mortality from 1977-2006.
  • Utilizing Cox proportional hazards models to analyze the association between PTB and CVD risk, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

  • Women with a history of PTB had a 36% increased risk of CVD (HR=1.36).
  • This association remained significant after excluding women with preeclampsia or small for gestational age births.
  • Recurrent PTB showed a higher risk of CVD morbidity, particularly ischemic events (HR=1.78), compared to single PTB (HR=1.22).
  • The risk of CVD mortality was notably higher in women with PTB (HR=1.98).

Conclusions:

  • Preterm birth, particularly recurrent PTB, is associated with an elevated risk of maternal cardiovascular disease.
  • These findings suggest potential common underlying causes for PTB and CVD.
  • This highlights the importance of considering obstetric history in cardiovascular risk assessment for women.
Abstract

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