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Male fetuses may have a greater risk of cesarean delivery because of their larger size than females. Researchers analyzed delivery information for 2,439 low-risk mothers in spontaneous labor with their first child. The cesarean section delivery rate was higher for the 1,246 women bearing males (13.2%) than for the 1,193 women bearing females (9.6%). Larger male infants, especially those with larger head circumferences, were more likely to be delivered by cesarean section because of failure to progress. Male infants of all sizes were more likely than females to be delivered because of fetal distress.

Pregnant women with abnormal adherent placentation may have a higher risk of an emergency hysterectomy following delivery than those without. Abnormal adherent placentation is attachment of the placenta at an unusual place in the uterus. Among 117 women who had an emergency hysterectomy following delivery, 64% had the procedure as a result of abnormal adherent placentation and 21% as a result of decreased uterine tone or strength. The remaining 15% had the procedure for other reasons such as uterine rupture, bacterial infection, fibroids and extension of a uterine scar. Women who had had a previous cesarean section were more likely to have an emergency hysterectomy than those who had not.

Approximately 9 percent of single live births in the US occur prematurely, of which two thirds occur spontaneously. Premature infants are at increased risk for neonatal diseases and death. This study examined risk factors associated with spontaneous premature births. A number of characteristics of 140 women who gave birth prematurely and spontaneously were compared with those of 140 women, matched for age and date of delivery, who gave birth spontaneously at term. More of the women who gave birth prematurely were nonwhite, single, and had completed less than 12 years of schooling. When these demographic variables were controlled for, women who had a history of induced abortion were slightly more likely to deliver prematurely. Women who had previously delivered prematurely were significantly more likely to have delivered prematurely in this group of deliveries. Smoking was also associated with an increased risk for delivering prematurely. Even when smoking was controlled for, women who were underweight were more likely to deliver prematurely. Maternal exposure to diethylstilbestrol (DES) was also associated with an increased risk for delivering prematurely. The results indicated a number of factors associated with an increased risk of delivering prematurely. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Infants born with cerebral ventriculomegaly, enlarged ventricles of the brain, usually have a poor prognosis. Estimation of ventricular size by prenatal ultrasound imaging allows counseling of expectant parents. Normally, lateral ventricles have an average diameter of 7.6 millimeters (mm), about one-third inch; ventriculomegaly is suspected if the diameter is 10 mm or more. Severe ventriculomegaly has been well-studied and has a poor prognosis, but the outcome of fetuses with mild ventriculomegaly is not clear. The status of 44 fetuses who were found to have mild ventriculomegaly during prenatal ultrasonography was evaluated in this study. Six of the 44 fetuses had other brain defects, while 11 had non-brain anomalies. Of 12 fetuses who underwent chromosome analyses, five had chromosomal defects, and other abnormal findings detected by ultrasound. Three pregnancies ended in fetal or neonatal death and five were terminated by abortion. Of the 36 living infants, 26 developed normally, while 10 had medical or developmental impairments. Of these 10 children, 5 had only ventriculomegaly. Of all 44 patients, 27 had ventriculomegaly with no other defect; of these, 21 developed normally, 5 were handicapped, and one was aborted. The study suggests that fetuses with mild ventriculomegaly and a normal chromosome profile, have a better prognosis than those with a severe defect. Chromosome and other studies are recommended for fetuses when mild ventriculomegaly is suspected. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)