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Planned Birth Before 39 Weeks and Child Development: A Population-Based Study

Jason P Bentley1,2,3, Christine L Roberts4,2, Jenny R Bowen5

  • 1Clinical and Population Perinatal Health Research, Kolling Institute, Northern Sydney Local Health District, St Leonards, New South Wales, Australia; jason.bentley@sydney.edu.au.

Pediatrics
|December 13, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Early planned birth before 39 weeks gestation is linked to higher risks of developmental challenges in children. This highlights the need for careful consideration of birth timing to support optimal child development.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal epidemiology
  • Developmental pediatrics
  • Public health

Background:

  • Gestational age and mode of birth are critical factors influencing infant health.
  • Early childhood development is a key indicator of long-term well-being.
  • Understanding risks associated with birth timing and method is crucial for public health strategies.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine the relationship between gestational age, mode of birth, and early child development.
  • To identify specific risks for developmental vulnerability based on birth circumstances.
  • To inform clinical and public health interventions for optimizing child development outcomes.

Main Methods:

  • A population-based cohort study of 153,730 live-born infants (gestational age ≥32 weeks) in New South Wales, Australia (2002-2007).
  • Developmental assessments covered physical health, language, cognition, social competence, emotional maturity, and general knowledge.
  • Developmental high risk (DHR) was defined as vulnerability in ≥2 domains; multivariable Poisson models analyzed risks.

Main Results:

  • Overall, 9.6% of children were classified as developmentally high risk (DHR).
  • Decreasing gestational age was associated with increased DHR risk, with significant risks noted for preterm births (32-36 weeks).
  • Planned birth (labor induction or prelabor cesarean) showed an increased risk of DHR (aRR 1.07), particularly when combined with earlier gestational ages (e.g., 37 weeks).

Conclusions:

  • Early planned birth (prior to 39 weeks gestation) is associated with an elevated risk of poor school-age child development.
  • The timing of planned birth is a modifiable factor influencing developmental outcomes.
  • Strategies are needed to support informed decision-making regarding birth timing to promote optimal child health and development.
Abstract

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