Maternal Height and the Risk of Cesarean Delivery in Nulliparous Women
Nuntaorn Wongcharoenkiat MD*, Dittakarn Boriboonhirunsarn MD, MPH, PhD*
Affiliation : * Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University
Objectives : To evaluate the relationship between maternal height of < 155 cm and the risk of caesarean
delivery due to cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD) among nulliparous women.
Design : Retrospective cohort study
Materials and Methods : A total of 660 term (GA > 37 weeks), uncomplicated singleton nulliparous pregnant
women were enrolled on admission to labour room. The patients were divided into two groups based on
maternal height, > 155 cm (440 cases) as control and < 155 cm (220 cases) as study group. The medical
records of these women were reviewed. Various baseline clinical characteristics were collected. Intrapartum
characteristics and maternal and neonatal outcomes were recorded.
Results : The rate of caesarean section of all indications was only slightly higher among study group than
control group (16.4% and 13.7% respectively, p = 0.514). No significant difference was observed in the rate
of caesarean delivery due to CPD (7.3% and 10.5% in control and study group respectively, p = 0.376). The
rate of caesarean delivery due to CPD was highest among those with height < 150 cm (p < 0.001). Mean birth
weight was significantly lower among study group than control group (2,927.7 + 368.1 g and 3,068.4 + 358.5
g respectively, p < 0.001). Low birth weight (< 2,500 g) was significantly higher among study group than
control group (10.9% and 3.2% respectively, p < 0.001).
Conclusion : Term singleton nulliparous pregnant women with maternal height < 155 cm were not associated
with a greater likelihood of caesarean section for CPD. However, mean birth weight was significantly lower
and low birth weight was significantly increased among mothers with short stature.
Keywords : Maternal height, Cesarean delivery, Cephalo-pelvic disproportion (CPD)
