A new study linking birth induction to autism is rippling through the mainstream press, generating titles such as Bloomberg’s “Autism Risk May Be Raised for Children When Labor Induced, CBS News’ “Induced labor may increase risk of autism in offspring, and WebMD’s “Induced Labor Linked to Raised Risk of Autism.” Continue reading
Abstract: Smith (2003) found unexplained stillbirth occurs once in 2000 births (0.5/1000) after 34 weeks among low risk second pregnancies, following a first vaginal birth in the absence of induction for postdates. If induction for postdates could prevent stillbirth by expediting the deliver, one would expect to save 0.5/1000. Four systematic reviews performing meta-analysis of the data regarding the effect of induction for postdates draw three different conclusions. Cochrane (2012) concludes that inducing at 41 weeks can prevent 1 stillbirth/perinatal death for Continue reading