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Swedish and American studies show that initiatives to decrease maternal obesity could play a key role in reducing preterm birth
Author(s) -
Gould Jeffrey B.,
Mayo Jonathan,
Shaw Gary M.,
Stevenson David K.
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
acta paediatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/apa.12616
Subject(s) - medicine , obesity , obstetrics , premature birth , pregnancy , environmental health , pediatrics , gestation , endocrinology , biology , genetics
Maternal obesity is a major source of preventable perinatal morbidity, but studies of the relationship between obesity and preterm birth have been inconsistent. This review looks at two major studies covering just under 3.5 million births, from California, USA , and Sweden. Conclusion Inconsistent findings in previous studies appear to stem from the complex relationship between obesity and preterm birth. Initiatives to decrease maternal obesity represent an important strategy in reducing preterm birth.