Pregnancy and Birth Outcome: The Importance of Prenatal Care Compared to the Influence of Socioeconomic and Cultural Factors

Abstract: A 9 page discussion of pregnancy and birth outcome in relation to preterm labor, preterm delivery and low birthweight babies. Emphasizes that pregnancy and birth outcome are obviously associated with a variety of factors other than the presence or absence of prenatal care alone. These factors include family structure, economic and racial classification, and the presence or absence of a support network. The existence of these factors, however, should not be interpreted to mean that prenatal care is not important in determining pregnancy and birth outcome. Indeed, the literature is full of correlations between these outcomes and prenatal care. In some cases in fact, such as in gestational diabetes, prenatal care is the most important determinant of birth outcome. Bibliography lists 10 sources.

Filename: PPbrthWt.wps

Pages: 9

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Catagory: Disease, Treatment, & Epidemiology

Subcatagory: Medicine, Medical Issues, & Pharmacy

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