Pregnancy Outcome of Migrant Women Delivering in a Public Institution in Northern Italy

Abstract

Background/Aim: European societies are facing a wave of incoming immigrants and the needs of a new multiethnic obstetrical population. It remains controversial whether native and immigrant women have equivalent pregnancy outcomes. Methods: Perinatal indicators of the obstetric outcome were monitored in all delivering women during a 5-year period in a large academic public general hospital. We compared rates of preterm deliveries, low birth weight, cesarean section during labor, perineal tears, and fetal acidemia in the native and immigrant parturients. Results: Immigrant women experienced very low birth weight (p < 0.005) and preterm deliveries (p < 0.05), more often than natives did. Among ethnic groups, data singled out Sub-Saharan African women to be at a higher risk for very small premature babies and cesarean section during labor. Conclusions: There are differences in perinatal outcome between immigrant and Italian woman; within the large migrant population, ethnic groups show wide disparities and challenge the health provider differently. Special attention to women at a higher risk may reduce fetal-maternal morbidities.