Obstetric and perinatal outcome in short-stature patients

Scarce data exist regarding obstetric complications of short-stature patients. This study aimed to investigate obstetric and perinatal outcomes in women with short stature; specifically, to investigate whether short-stature patients are at an increased risk for cesarean delivery.

A population-based cohort study was conducted, including all singletons born between the years 1991 and 2021 at a tertiary medical center. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of short-stature patients were compared with those of non-short patients. A generalized estimation equation binary logistic model was constructed to adjust for confounders and maternal recurrence in the cohort.

The study population included 356 356 parturient; among them, 14 035 (3.9%) were short-stature patients. Short-stature patients had significantly higher rates of cesarean delivery (20.7% vs 13.7%, odds ratio = 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.57-1.71, P < 0.001), induction of labor, pathologic presentations, prolonged second stage of labor, non-reassuring fetal monitoring, and meconium-stained amniotic fluid. Newborns of short-stature patients had a significantly higher risk of being small for gestational age as compared with those of non-short patients. In the generalized estimation equation models, the association between short stature and risk of cesarean delivery remained significant (adjusted odds ratio = 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.27-1.38, P < 0.001), as well as the risk of small for gestational age newborns (adjusted odds ratio = 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.40-1.63, P < 0.001), but not for the other adverse outcomes.

Maternal short stature is an independent risk factor for cesarean delivery and is associated with small for gestational age newborns.