نبذة مختصرة : Objective. Maternal somatometric characteristics are clearly associated with pregnancy outcome, first of all newborn weight and length. The impact of maternal stature on birth and especially on the mode of delivery, however, is discussed controversially. This study examined the impact of maternal stature on the mode of delivery, in particular on the Caesarean section rate. Methods. In this prospective study, data of 4278 live births at the Viennese University Hospital were analyzed. Since preterm births, maternal age below twenty years, Caesarean delivery on request, breech or transverse presentation and coincident medical diseases such as diabetes mellitus or nephropathy, drug or alcohol abuse, twin birth or IVF were strict exclusion criteria, the study population can be described as a low risk population. Maternal anthropometrics (height, weight, weight gain) and newborn somatic characteristics (birth weight, birth length, head dimensions, APGAR scores) were documented. Binary logistic regression models were used to evaluate the risk factors for Caesarean delivery. Results. The Caesarean section rate was 17.7%. Beside newborn somatometric characteristics, such as head dimensions and birth weight, maternal stature was significantly associated with the rate of caesarean section. With decreasing maternal stature the risk of Caesarean sections increased significantly. Especially among short and very short women (<150 cm) the rate of Caesarean deliveries was extraordinarily high (>40%). According to binary regression analyses, maternal stature had a significant impact on the mode of delivery, while, in contrast, no significant associations between the mode of delivery and maternal age, prepregnancy weight status, pregnancy weight gain as well as pelvic dimensions were found. Conclusion. Short stature is significantly associated with the risk of Caesarean delivery.
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