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Updated: Feb 15, 2026
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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
Published on: January 12, 2018
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Preterm Delivery and Future Risk of Maternal Cardiovascular Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Pensée Wu1,2, Martha Gulati3, Chun Shing Kwok4,5
1Keele Cardiovascular Research Group, Institute for Applied Clinical Sciences and Centre for Prognosis Research, Institute of Primary Care and Health Sciences, University of Keele, Stoke-on-Trent, United Kingdom p.wu@keele.ac.uk.
Journal of the American Heart Association
|January 17, 2018
Summary
Preterm birth significantly increases a woman's future risk of cardiovascular disease and related deaths. This finding highlights the importance of considering preterm delivery in women's cardiovascular risk assessments.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Obstetrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Preterm delivery affects 11% of pregnancies globally.
- Conflicting data exist regarding the long-term cardiovascular risks for mothers who experience preterm birth.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically evaluate and summarize evidence on the association between preterm birth and future maternal cardiovascular disease risk.
Main Methods:
- A systematic search of MEDLINE and EMBASE databases was conducted.
- Random effects meta-analysis of 21 studies involving over 5.8 million women.
- Studies adjusted for potential confounders.
Main Results:
- Preterm birth is linked to increased maternal risk of cardiovascular disease (RR 1.43), cardiovascular death (RR 1.78), coronary heart disease (RR 1.49), coronary heart disease death (RR 2.10), and stroke (RR 1.65).
- Highest risks were observed for preterm deliveries before 32 weeks gestation or medically indicated preterm births.
Conclusions:
- Preterm delivery is associated with a significant increase in future adverse maternal cardiovascular outcomes.
- A two-fold increase in coronary heart disease deaths is noted.
- Preterm delivery should be incorporated into cardiovascular risk assessments for women.
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