Obstetric and perinatal outcome in short‐stature patients

Abstract

ObjectiveScarce data exist regarding obstetric complications of short‐stature patients. This study aimed to investigate obstetric and perinatal outcomes in women with short stature; specifically, to investigate whether short‐stature patients are at an increased risk for cesarean delivery.MethodsA population‐based cohort study was conducted, including all singletons born between the years 1991 and 2021 at a tertiary medical center. Obstetric and perinatal outcomes of short‐stature patients were compared with those of non‐short patients. A generalized estimation equation binary logistic model was constructed to adjust for confounders and maternal recurrence in the cohort.ResultsThe study population included 356 356 parturient; among them, 14 035 (3.9%) were short‐stature patients. Short‐stature patients had significantly higher rates of cesarean delivery (20.7% vs 13.7%, odds ratio = 1.64, 95% confidence interval 1.57–1.71, P < 0.001), induction of labor, pathologic presentations, prolonged second stage of labor, non‐reassuring fetal monitoring, and meconium‐stained amniotic fluid. Newborns of short‐stature patients had a significantly higher risk of being small for gestational age as compared with those of non‐short patients. In the generalized estimation equation models, the association between short stature and risk of cesarean delivery remained significant (adjusted odds ratio = 1.32, 95% confidence interval 1.27–1.38, P < 0.001), as well as the risk of small for gestational age newborns (adjusted odds ratio = 1.51, 95% confidence interval 1.40–1.63, P < 0.001), but not for the other adverse outcomes.ConclusionsMaternal short stature is an independent risk factor for cesarean delivery and is associated with small for gestational age newborns.