Seasonal Pattern of Preterm Births in Korea for 2000–2012.
10.3346/jkms.2016.31.11.1797
- Author:
Yoonmi WOO
1
;
Yung Taek OUH
;
Ki Hoon AHN
;
Geum Joon CHO
;
Soon Cheol HONG
;
Min Jeong OH
;
Hai Joong KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. md_cho@hanmail.net
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Seasonal Variation;
Preterm Birth;
Summer;
Winter, Korea
- MeSH:
Female;
Humans;
Korea*;
Parents;
Parity;
Parturition;
Premature Birth*;
Prevalence;
Seasons*
- From:Journal of Korean Medical Science
2016;31(11):1797-1801
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate a seasonal pattern of preterm births in Korea. Data were obtained from the national birth registry of the Korean Statistics Office and included all births in Korea during the period 2000–2012 (n = 6,310,800). Delivery dates were grouped by month of the year or by season (winter [December, January, February], spring [March, April, May], summer [June, July, August], and autumn [September, October, November]). The seasonal patterns of prevalence of preterm births were assessed. The rates of preterm births at 37 weeks were highest twice a year (once in winter and again in summer). The rates of preterm births increased by 13.9% in summer and 7.5% in winter, respectively, than in spring (OR, 1.139; 95% CI, 1.127–1.152, and OR, 1.075; 95% 1.064–1.087, respectively) after controlling for age, the educational level of the parents, maternal parity, and neonatal gender. The pattern for spontaneous preterm births < 34 weeks was similar. In Korea, a seasonal pattern of preterm births was observed, with peak prevalence in summer and winter. A seasonal pattern of preterm births may provide new insights for the pathophysiology of preterm births.
