Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 15, 2026

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
14:43

A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

Published on: January 12, 2018

Trends of preterm birth and low birth weight in Japan: a one hospital-based study

Takashi Yorifuji1, Hiroo Naruse, Saori Kashima

  • 1Department of Human Ecology, Okayama University Graduate School of Environmental and Life Science, 3-1-1 Tsushima-naka, Kita-ku, Okayama, 700-8530, Japan. yorichan@md.okayama-u.ac.jp

BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth
|December 28, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Rising preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) in Japan were linked to increased obstetric interventions. However, neonatal outcomes improved, suggesting benefits of these interventions for perinatal health.

Area of Science:

  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • Neonatal Health
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Preterm birth (PTB) and low birth weight (LBW) rates are increasing in developed nations.
  • Investigating contributing factors to these trends in Japan is crucial.
  • The role of obstetric interventions requires specific examination.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To analyze the factors contributing to the rise in PTB and LBW in Japan.
  • To evaluate the impact of obstetric interventions on these trends.
  • To assess changes in neonatal outcomes over time.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of a hospital database in Shizuoka, Japan (1997-2010).
  • Inclusion of 19,221 live singleton births.
  • Comparison of PTB and LBW proportions and neonatal outcomes across four time intervals.

Main Results:

  • A significant increase in PTB, particularly medically indicated PTB, was observed.
  • Changes in cesarean section rates largely explained the rise in PTB.
  • Neonatal outcomes, including Apgar scores and NICU admission rates, showed improvement.
  • Reduced risk of NICU admission was noted in later intervals for all and medically indicated births.

Conclusions:

  • Obstetric interventions appear beneficial despite rising PTB and LBW rates.
  • Evaluating perinatal health should consider outcomes beyond simple PTB/LBW categorization.
  • Focusing on indicators like perinatal mortality offers a more appropriate assessment.
Abstract

More Related Videos

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis06:19

A Rat Model of Mild Intrauterine Hypoperfusion with Microcoil Stenosis

Published on: January 7, 2018

Isolation and Characterization of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Preterm and Term Infants07:26

Isolation and Characterization of Human Umbilical Cord-derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Preterm and Term Infants

Published on: January 26, 2019

Related Concept Videos

Regression Toward the Mean01:52

Regression Toward the Mean

Regression toward the mean (“RTM”) is a phenomenon in which extremely high or low values—for example, and individual’s blood pressure at a particular moment—appear closer to a group’s average upon remeasuring. Although this statistical peculiarity is the result of random error and chance, it has been problematic across various medical, scientific, financial and psychological applications. In particular, RTM, if not taken into account, can interfere when researchers try to extrapolate results...
Bias in Epidemiological Studies01:29

Bias in Epidemiological Studies

Biases can arise at various stages of research, from study design and data collection to analysis and interpretation. Recognizing and addressing these biases is essential to ensure the validity and reliability of epidemiological findings.Broadly speaking, biases in epidemiology fall into three main categories: selection bias, information bias, and confounding. A more detailed description of possible biases is:
Prevalence and Incidence01:08

Prevalence and Incidence

In statistical epidemiology and health sciences, two essential metrics—prevalence and incidence—are fundamental for understanding disease dynamics within a population. These measures enable public health officials, epidemiologists, and researchers to assess the burden of diseases, allocate resources effectively, and design impactful public health policies and interventions.
Prevalence indicates the proportion of individuals in a population who have a specific disease or health condition at a...
Factors Affecting Illness01:18

Factors Affecting Illness

When a person's physical, emotional, intellectual, social development or spiritual functioning is compromised, this deviation from a healthy normal state is called illness. Illness creates stress that in turn harms individuals. Irritation, anger, denial, hopelessness, and fear are behavioral and emotional changes an individual experiences in the phases of illness. A variety of factors influence a person's health and well-being.
For instance, risk factors are connected to illness, disability,...
Hospitals-II00:59

Hospitals-II

Hospitals provide inpatient and outpatient services. Inpatient services provide care to patients that stay in the hospital for an extended period, ranging from days to months. Examples of inpatient services include intensive care units, hospital wards, or surgeries. Outpatient services provide care to patients who come to a hospital for a diagnostic or treatment but do not stay overnight —for example, diagnostic tests, surgical procedures, or health education.
Nurses that work in hospitals have...
Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System01:29

Issues And Trends In Healthcare Delivery System

The issues and trends in healthcare delivery are constantly changing. The COVID-19 pandemic is one recent issue that wreaked havoc on healthcare systems, causing a shortage of healthcare workers, high demand for medicines and supplies, and increased medical expenditure due to a lack of insurance. Other issues include rising healthcare costs and care fragmentation.
Cost Containment
Payment for healthcare services has historically promoted adoption of costly and often unnecessary or inefficient...