BackgroundPreterm birth, defined as birth occurring before 37 weeks gestation, is one of the most significant contributors to neonatal mortality and morbidity, with long-term adverse consequences for health, and cognitive outcome.ObjectiveThe aim of the present study was to identify risk factors of preterm birth (≤36+6 weeks gestation) among singleton births and to quantify the contribution of risk factors to socioeconomic disparities in preterm birth.MethodsA retrospective population–based case-control study using data derived from the Finnish Medical Birth Register. A total population of singleton births in Finland from 1987−2010 (n = 1,390,742) was reviewed.ResultsAmong all singleton births (n = 1,390,742), 4.6% (n = 63,340) were preterm (<37 weeks), of which 0.3% (n = 4,452) were classed as extremely preterm, 0.4% (n = 6,213) very preterm and 3.8% (n = 54,177) moderately preterm. Smoking alone explained up to 33% of the variation in extremely, very and moderately preterm birth incidence between high and the low socioeconomic status (SES) groups. Reproductive risk factors (placental abruption, placenta previa, major congenital anomaly, amniocentesis, chorionic villus biopsy, anemia, stillbirth, small for gestational age (SGA) and fetal sex) altogether explained 7.7−25.0% of the variation in preterm birth between SES groups.ConclusionsSmoking explained about one third of the variation in preterm birth groups between SES groups whereas the contribution of reproductive risk factors including placental abruption, placenta previa, major congenital anomaly, amniocentesis, chorionic villus biopsy, anemia, stillbirth, SGA and fetal sex was up to one fourth.

Smoking cessation appeared to reduce pregnancy risks close to those of non-smoking peers. Exposure to early pregnancy smoking was, however, associated with an increased admission to neonatal intensive care and an increased prevalence of major congenital anomalies.

BackgroundSmall for gestational age (SGA) infants are at increased risk of short- and long-term adverse outcomes.MethodsPopulation-based case–control study using data derived from the Finnish Medical Birth Register for the years 1987–2010 (total population of singleton live births n = 1,390,165). The aim was to quantify the importance of risk factors for SGA and describe their contribution to socioeconomic status (SES) disparities in SGA by using logistic regression analysis.ResultsOf all the singleton live births (n = 1,390,165), 3.1% (n = 42,702) were classified as SGA (defined as below 2 standard deviations of the sex-specific population reference mean for gestational age). The risk of SGA was 11 − 24% higher in the lower SES groups compared to the highest SES group. Smoking alone made the largest contribution, explaining 41.7 − 50.9% of SES disparities in SGA. The risk of SGA was 2.3-fold and 7% higher among women who smoked or had quit smoking during the first trimester of pregnancy (adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 2.34, 95% CI 2.28-2.42 and aOR 1.07, 95% CI 1.00 − 1.15, respectively) compared with the non-smokers.ConclusionsSGA is substantially affected by SES. Smoking explained up to 50% of the difference in risk of SGA between high and low SES groups. Quitting smoking during the first trimester of pregnancy resulted in a 7% higher incidence of SGA comparable to that of non-smoking women. Thus, interventional attempts to reduce smoking during pregnancy might help to decrease the socioeconomic gradient of SGA.

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