Cardiovascular risk factors after antenatal exposure to betamethasone: 30-year follow-up of a randomised controlled trial.

Background: Antenatal betamethasone treatment is widely used for the prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome in preterm infants and substantially reduces neonatal mortality and morbidity. Fetal exposure to excess glucocorticoids has been proposed as one of the core mechanisms of the fetal origins of adult disease hypothesis. We assessed whether antenatal exposure to betamethasone for the prevention of neonatal respiratory distress syndrome affects cardiovascular risk factors at 30 years of age.

Ethnicity and birth outcome: New Zealand trends 1980-2001: Part 4. Pregnancy outcomes for European/other women.

Background: In the early 1980s European/other women made up 80% of New Zealand's population and experienced rates of preterm birth that were lower than for other ethnic groups. Rates of small for gestational age (SGA) and late fetal death were intermediate between those of Maori and Pacific women.

Aims: To examine trends in preterm birth, SGA and late fetal death for European/other women during 1980-2001 and to explore risk factors which make this group vulnerable to adverse birth outcome.

Ethnicity and birth outcome: New Zealand trends 1980-2001: Part 3. Pregnancy outcomes for Pacific women.

Background: Pacific women in New Zealand reside in areas of higher socioeconomic deprivation compared to women from other ethnic groups. Pacific women and their health are further disadvantaged because of genetic predisposition and sociocultural factors that cause ill-health. The correlations between pregnancy outcomes, risk factors and other health indices in Pacific women need evaluation.

Ethnicity and birth outcome: New Zealand trends 1980-2001: Part 2. Pregnancy outcomes for Maori women.

Background: While traditionally Maori perinatal mortality has been similar to that of other ethnic groups, rates of preterm birth, small for gestational age (SGA) and teenage pregnancy have remained high.

Aims: To review current trends in preterm birth, SGA and teenage pregnancy for Maori during 1980-2001 and to highlight the major factors that have influenced Maori reproductive outcomes during this period.

Methods: De-identified birth registration data from 1 189 120 singleton live births and 5775 stillbirths were analysed for 1980-2001.

Ethnicity and birth outcome: New Zealand trends 1980-2001. Part 1. Introduction, methods, results and overview.

Background: New Zealand Government policy during the past decade has placed a high priority on closing socioeconomic and ethnic gaps in health outcome.

Aim: To analyse New Zealand's trends in preterm and small for gestational age (SGA) births and late fetal deaths during 1980-2001 and to undertake ethnic specific analyses, resulting in risk factor profiles, for each ethnic group.

Methods: De-identified birth registration data from 1 189 120 singleton live births and 5775 stillbirths were analysed for the period 1980-2001.