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Postmaturity: how far is it a clinical entity in its own right?
G Carlomagno1, G Candussi, S Zavino
1Isernia School of Midwifery, University of Rome La Sapienza, Italy.
Clinical and Experimental Obstetrics & Gynecology
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Post-42 week pregnancies showed higher birthweights and lengths, with a trend towards more caesarean births. Neonatal outcomes, including perinatal mortality and intensive care needs, were similar between groups.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Maternal-Fetal Medicine
- Neonatal Research
Background:
- A 1990 protocol allowed antepartum testing for pregnancies extending beyond 42 weeks.
- This enabled a retrospective analysis of outcomes for post-term deliveries.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate maternal and neonatal outcomes in pregnancies delivered after 42 completed weeks of gestation.
- To compare these outcomes with a control group delivering between 37 and 41 weeks.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 84 patients delivering after 42 weeks and 1351 controls delivering between 37-41 weeks.
- Analysis of maternal demographics, obstetric history, pregnancy complications, labor, delivery mode, and neonatal data.
Main Results:
- Average neonatal birthweight and length were significantly greater in the post-42 week group.
- Caesarean birth frequency was higher, though not significantly, in the study group.
- No significant difference in perinatal mortality or need for intensive care; however, low 1-minute Apgar scores were more frequent.
Conclusions:
- Pregnancies extending beyond 42 weeks are associated with larger neonates and a non-significant increase in caesarean births.
- While some neonatal indicators like 1-minute Apgar scores were affected, overall neonatal outcomes remained comparable, supporting the safety of the antepartum testing protocol.