Impact of paternal presence and parental social-demographic characteristics on birth outcomes

Abstract

Objectives Maternal race, marital status, and social environment impact risk of preterm delivery and size for gestational age. Although some paternal characteristics such as age are associated with pregnancy outcomes, the influence of the paternal presence, race/ethnicity and adverse life events is not well known. The objective of the study was to assess birth outcomes in mothers with a paternal presence compared to those without during the post-partum period. The secondary aim was to determine whether paternal race is associated with birth outcomes. Methods This was a cross-sectional study using parental surveys linked with birth certificate data from 2016 to 2018. Adverse birth composite outcomes (ABCO) including small for gestational age (SGA), prematurity or neonatal intensive care unit admission (NICU) were assessed. Results A total of 695 parents were analyzed (239 single mothers and 228 mother-father pairs). Compared to mothers with a father present, mothers without a father present exhibited increased odds of ABCO, prematurity and NICU. Non-Hispanic Black fathers had increased odds of ABCO and NICU compared to Non-Hispanic Whites (NHW). Hispanic fathers had increased odds of NICU compared to NHW. Conclusions Paternal absence in the post-partum period and paternal race were both independently associated with ABCO and NICU. Assessment of paternal presence and paternal race in clinical practice may help identify opportunities for additional support necessary to optimize birth outcomes.

Comparison of birth outcomes of mothers covered by Medicaid versus those privately insured when accounting for social determinants of health

“…30,31 Adverse life event score included the total number of factors reported as yes and was then categorized into those reporting ≥3 events and <3 events. 26,32,33 Exercise was de ned as physical activity ≥3 days per week or <3 days per week during the 12 months prior to the pregnancy. 26,32,33 Substance use was de ned as any alcohol, marijuana (MJ), tobacco, electronic cigarrete (E-cig) use or illicit drug use.…”

“…26,32,33 Exercise was de ned as physical activity ≥3 days per week or <3 days per week during the 12 months prior to the pregnancy. 26,32,33 Substance use was de ned as any alcohol, marijuana (MJ), tobacco, electronic cigarrete (E-cig) use or illicit drug use. MJ use included any use 1 month before or during pregnancy.…”

“…34 E-cig use was de ned as any use 12 months before or during pregnancy. 34 Alcohol or illicit drug use was de ned as any use 3 months prior to or during the pregnancy 26,32,33,34 . High risk mothers were de ned as those delivering at extremes of reproductive age (< 20 or > 34 yrs.)…”

“…or with chronic illness including prepregnancy or gestational diabetes, and/or prepregnancy or gestational hypertension. 26,32,33,35 High risk variable also included mothers with body mass index >30, previous preterm/low birth weight or history of abruption/vaginal bleeding. 26,32,33,35 Receipt of prenatal care was de ned as a categorical variable (yes/no).…”

“…26,32,33,35 High risk variable also included mothers with body mass index >30, previous preterm/low birth weight or history of abruption/vaginal bleeding. 26,32,33,35 Receipt of prenatal care was de ned as a categorical variable (yes/no). 26,32,33 STATISTICAL ANALYSIS: Maternal health insurance type and demographics along with other covariates as de ned above were compared in bivariate analysis using chi-square or Fisher's exact tests and unpaired T-Test.…”