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Risk factors associated with low Apgar scores in a low‐income population
Author(s) -
Rogers J. Felix,
Graves William L.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
paediatric and perinatal epidemiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.667
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1365-3016
pISSN - 0269-5022
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-3016.1993.tb00394.x
Subject(s) - medicine , caesarean section , obstetrics , apgar score , vaginal delivery , population , risk factor , gestational age , pregnancy , environmental health , genetics , biology
Summary. The purpose of this study was to identify risk factors associated with Apgar scores of less than 7 in newborns scored at 5 minutes after birth. All newborns were delivered at Grady Memorial Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia, which primarily serves a low‐income population. The data were obtained from the obstetric discharge records for 1985–89. In this case‐control study, 939 newborns with Apgar scores of less than 7 were compared with 2817 new‐borns with Apgar scores of 7 or higher. Low birthweight (< 2500 g) and short gestational age (< 37 weeks) were each significantly associated with low Apgar scores. Race was not a significant risk factor for low Apgar scores in this low socio‐economic population. It is also demonstrated that maternal risk factors (pregnancy‐induced hypertension, prolonged rupture of membranes), method of delivery (caesarean, repeat caesarean, vaginal birth after caesarean section) and male sex were significantly associated with Apgar scores of less than 7. As a result of the risks that were found to be associated with method of delivery, further study of the risks associated with caesarean delivery and of the relative advantage of a caesarean delivery versus vaginal delivery after a previous caesarean section is advocated.