Mother's education and the risk of preterm and small for gestational age birth: a DRIVERS meta-analysis of 12 European cohorts

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2015

Authors

Ruiz, M (Author) Other; Goldblatt, P (Author) Other; Morrison, J (Author) Other; Kukla, L (Author) Other; Svancara, J (Author) Other; Riitta Jarvelin, M (Author) Other; Taanila, A (Author) Other; Saurel Cubizolles, MJ (Author) Other; Lioret, S (Author) Other; Bakoula, C (Author) Other; Veltsista, A (Author) Other; Porta, D (Author) Other; Forastiere, F (Author) Other; van Eijsden, M (Author) Other; Vrijkotte, TGM (Author) Other; Eggesbo, M (Author) Other; White, RA (Author) Other; Barros H (Author) FMUP; Correia, S (Author) FMUP; Vrijheid, M (Author) Other; Torrent, M (Author) Other; Rebagliato, M (Author) Other; Larranaga, I (Author) Other; Ludvigsson, J (Author) Other; Faresoe, AO (Author) Other; Hryhorczuk, D (Author) Other; Antipkin, Y (Author) Other; Marmot, M (Author) Other; Pikhart, H (Author) Other

Journal

Title: Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health

Vol. 69

Pages: 826-833

ISSN: 0143-005X

Publisher: BMJ PUBLISHING GROUP

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 99 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-00G-J8D

DOI: 10.1136/jech-2014-205387

Abstract (EN): Background A healthy start to life is a major priority in efforts to reduce health inequalities across Europe, with important implications for the health of future generations. There is limited combined evidence on inequalities in health among newborns across a range of European countries. Methods Prospective cohort data of 75 296 newborns from 12 European countries were used. Maternal education, preterm and small for gestational age births were determined at baseline along with covariate data. Regression models were estimated within each cohort and meta-analyses were conducted to compare and measure heterogeneity between cohorts. Results Mother's education was linked to an appreciable risk of preterm and small for gestational age (SGA) births across 12 European countries. The excess risk of preterm births associated with low maternal education was 1.48 (1.29 to 1.69) and 1.84 (0.99 to 2.69) in relative and absolute terms (Relative/Slope Index of Inequality, RII/SII) for all cohorts combined. Similar effects were found for SGA births, but absolute inequalities were greater, with an SII score of 3.64 (1.74 to 5.54). Inequalities at birth were strong in the Netherlands, the UK, Sweden and Spain and marginal in other countries studied. Conclusions This study highlights the value of comparative cohort analysis to better understand the relationship between maternal education and markers of fetal growth in different settings across Europe.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 8