RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Risks of stillbirth and early neonatal death by day of week
JF Canadian Medical Association Journal
JO CMAJ
FD Canadian Medical Association
SP 337
OP 341
VO 170
IS 3
A1 Zhong-Cheng Luo
A1 Shiliang Liu
A1 Russell Wilkins
A1 Michael S. Kramer
A1 for The Fetal and Infant Health Study Group of the Canadian Perinatal Surveillance System
YR 2004
UL http://www.cmaj.ca/content/170/3/337.abstract
AB Background: Higher risks of stillbirth or early neonatal death, or both, have been reported from several countries for births on weekend days. It is unclear whether such higher risks have persisted in recent years. We investigated weekend-associated risks of stillbirth and early neonatal death in most Canadian provinces. Methods: We studied all 3 239 972 births recorded in Canada, excluding Ontario, between 1985 and 1998. The main outcome measures were the relative risks (RRs) of stillbirth and early neonatal death for infants born on weekends versus weekdays. Results: The proportion of births on weekend days was 24% lower than the proportion on weekdays. Infants born on weekend days had slightly but significantly elevated risks of stillbirth (RR 1.06, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02–1.09) and early neonatal death (RR 1.11, 95% CI 1.07–1.16). However, the higher risks disappeared after adjustment for gestational age. Interpretation: The crude risks of stillbirth and early neonatal death remained slightly higher for births on weekend days, but the excesses were much smaller than those reported from other countries.