Parity effect on preterm birth and growth outcomes among infants with isolated omphalocele

ObjectiveTo assess the association between parity and fetal morbidity outcomes among omphalocele-affected fetuses.Study designWe carried out a retrospective study of 498 cases of isolated omphalocele (210 born to nulliparous and 288 to multiparous mothers) in New York State from 1983 through 1999. Infants of nulliparous mothers were compared to those of multiparous gravidas using adjusted odds ratios generated from a logistic regression.ResultsOmphalocele-affected fetuses of nulliparous mothers had a lower risk of being delivered preterm (odds ratio (OR) = 0.49; 95% CI = 0.27–0.90) but comparable risks for low birth weight (OR = 1.01; 95% CI = 0.60–1.72), very low birth weight (OR = 0.33; 95% CI = 0.09–1.20), very preterm birth (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.15–1.16), and small size for gestational age (SGA) [OR = 0.61; 95% CI = 0.23–1.63].ConclusionOmphalocele-affected fetuses of multiparous mothers have double the risk for preterm birth compared to their nulliparous counterparts. This information is potentially useful in counseling parents whose fetuses have omphaloceles.