The relationship between utilization of prenatal care and Down syndrome live births
- 1 January 2007
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in The Journal of Maternal-Fetal & Neonatal Medicine
- Vol. 20 (4), 307-311
- https://doi.org/10.1080/14767050601152936
Abstract
Objective. This study evaluated whether utilization of prenatal care, as measured by the Kessner index, affects the number of Down syndrome live births. Methods. A retrospective analysis of birth certificate data of Down syndrome live births comparing 1989 to 2001 by year, maternal age, gestational age at first prenatal visit, and adequacy of prenatal care according to Kessner categories of adequacy of prenatal care. Results. Down syndrome live births were inversely correlated with adequacy of prenatal care. Reductions in Down syndrome live births were seen in all categories of prenatal care in all age groups. In 2001 a minimum 30% reduction was seen in any category rising to a 58% reduction in women ≥35 years with adequate prenatal care. The largest reductions were seen in women ≥35 years of age. Conclusions. Reductions in Down syndrome live births occurred in all age groups between 1989 and 2001. Utilization of prenatal care as measured by the Kessner index was associated with reductions in Down syndrome live births, with a greater reduction in women ≥35 years of age.Keywords
This publication has 12 references indexed in Scilit:
- Screening for Down SyndromeObstetrics & Gynecology, 2006
- Down syndrome births in the United States from 1989 to 2001American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology, 2004
- First-Trimester Screening for Trisomies 21 and 18The New England Journal of Medicine, 2003
- Second-Trimester Ultrasound to Detect Fetuses With Down SyndromeJAMA, 2001
- Efficacy of screening for fetal down syndrome in the United States from 1974 to 1997Obstetrics & Gynecology, 2000
- Joint estimation of Down syndrome risk and ascertainment rates: a meta-analysis of nine published data setsPrenatal Diagnosis, 1998
- Racial-ethnic differences in prenatal diagnostic test use and outcomes: Preferences, socioeconomics, or patient knowledge?Obstetrics & Gynecology, 1996
- The surveillance of birth defects: the usefulness of the revised US standard birth certificate.American Journal of Public Health, 1996
- An evaluation of the Kessner Adequacy of Prenatal Care Index and a proposed Adequacy of Prenatal Care Utilization Index.American Journal of Public Health, 1994
- The effects of prenatal care upon the health of the newborn.American Journal of Public Health, 1979