Gender and preterm birth: Is male fetal gender a clinically important risk factor for preterm birth in high-risk women?

Gender differences in several adverse pregnancy outcomes have been described, including preterm labour and delivery. In the low risk population, the male fetus is at significantly higher risk of spontaneous preterm birth. Our objective was to examine the risk effect of fetal gender on pregnant women at higher risk of preterm birth, and therefore its potential impact on targeting management. This was an analysis of prospectively collected data from a dedicated inner-city Prematurity Surveillance Clinic over a sixteen-year period. All women were high-risk for preterm delivery in view of their history, which included previous late miscarriage, PTB or significant cervical surgery. Obstetric variables and pregnancy outcomes were compared in male and female babies. Demographic and risk factors were compared between groups, and both spontaneous and iatrogenic preterm delivery rates interrogated (