The article below summarizes a roundtable discussion of a study published in this issue of the Journal in light of its methodology, relevance to practice, and implications for future research. Article discussed:
Donovan EF, Besl J, Paulson J, et al, for the Ohio Perinatal Quality Collaborative. Infant death among Ohio resident infants born at 32 to 41 weeks of gestation. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2010;203:58.e1-5.
Discussion Questions
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Were the objectives of the study clearly defined?
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What were the key study findings?
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What are the strengths of the study?
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Can you identify potential sources of bias?
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Are the study results applicable to your clinical practice?
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How might you address the study question differently?
Timing delivery so that the best possible outcome is achieved remains a critical issue in contemporary obstetrics. Preterm birth, a major cause of infant morbidity, is also responsible for over one-third of infant deaths in the United States, and its prevalence continues to climb. This trend is partly due to an increase in indicated or elective births beyond 32 weeks, especially late preterm births at 34 weeks’ gestation and above. Early preterm births, also on the rise, are particularly likely to result in adverse neonatal outcomes. Initiatives to optimize gestational age at delivery can contribute substantially to improved neonatal and infant outcomes.
See related article, page 58
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