Neonatal Outcomes of Mothers With a Disability

OBJECTIVES To assess the risk of neonatal complications among women with a disability. METHODS This population-based cohort study comprised all hospital singleton livebirths in Ontario, Canada from 2003 to 2018. Newborns of women with a physical (N = 144 187), sensory (N = 44 988), intellectual or developmental (N = 2207), or ≥2 disabilities (N = 8823) were each compared with 1 593 354 newborns of women without a disability. Outcomes were preterm birth RESULTS Risks for neonatal complications were elevated among newborns of women with disabilities compared with those without disabilities. Adjusted relative risks were especially high for newborns of women with an intellectual or developmental disability, including preterm birth CONCLUSIONS There is a mild to moderate elevated risk for complications among newborns of women with disabilities. These women may need adapted and enhanced preconception and prenatal care, and their newborns may require extra support after birth.