Related Experiment Videos
Discordance between LMP-based and clinically estimated gestational age: implications for research, programs, and
G R Alexander1, M E Tompkins, D J Petersen
1Department of Maternal and Child Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham 35294-2010, USA.
Public Health Reports (Washington, D.C. : 1974)
|July 1, 1995
Summary
Comparing gestational age measures reveals significant differences. Last menstrual period-based dating yields higher preterm rates, while clinical estimates show digit preference, impacting health indicator accuracy.
Area of Science:
- Perinatal epidemiology
- Biostatistics
- Maternal and child health
Background:
- Gestational age is crucial for assessing infant health and healthcare needs.
- Two common methods for determining gestational age are last menstrual period (LMP)-based and clinically estimated gestational age (EGA).
- Discrepancies between these methods can affect the interpretation of birth outcomes and healthcare utilization.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the comparability of LMP-based and clinically estimated gestational age (EGA) on birth certificates.
- To investigate how sociodemographic and delivery characteristics influence the agreement between these two gestational age measures.
- To contrast health status and healthcare utilization indicators derived from each gestational age method.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 1989-1991 South Carolina public use live birth files.
- Inclusion of 169,082 single births to resident mothers.
- Comparison of LMP-based and clinically estimated gestational age distributions, concordance, and derived health indicators.
Main Results:
- Clinically estimated gestational age (EGA) had a higher mean and digit preference for even numbers.
- LMP-based dating resulted in higher preterm and postterm percentages.
- Overall concordance was 47%, varying significantly by gestational age, race, prenatal care timing, and hospital size.
Conclusions:
- Notable dissimilarities exist between LMP-based and clinically estimated gestational age (EGA) measures.
- These differences lead to marked variations in health status indicators like preterm birth rates.
- Transitioning to clinical EGA or a composite measure will yield non-uniform results influenced by population and healthcare characteristics.