Endometriosis and adenomyosis are associated with increased risk of preterm delivery and a small-for-gestational-age child: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Introduction: The objective of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to evaluate the risk of preterm delivery and having a small-for-gestational-age (SGA) child in women with endometriosis and adenomyosis compared with women without these two diseases. Material and methods: Studies on endometriosis or adenomyosis and risk of preterm delivery and/or SGA infant were included. The systematic search was conducted for all published articles in PubMed and Embase published from 1950 to 2017 using specific search terms. After duplicates were removed, two authors independently reviewed all studies, initially based on title and subsequently based on abstract. Studies considered relevant were read in full text by both reviewers to identify if studies met the inclusion criteria. Results: The search found 21 studies on a total of 2 517 516 women meeting the inclusion criteria. Women with endometriosis had an increased odds of preterm delivery [odds ratio (OR) 1.47, 95% CI 1.28–1.69] and SGA infant (OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.04–1.549). Compared with endometriosis, adenomyosis implied an even higher odds of both preterm delivery (OR 3.09, 95% CI 1.88–5.09) and SGA infant (OR 3.23, 95% CI 1.71–6.09) as well. Conclusions: Women with endometriosis or adenomyosis had a higher odds of preterm delivery and having a child that was SGA compared with women without endometriosis or adenomyosis. The odds of both adverse birth outcomes was highest among women with adenomyosis. The results suggest a closer prenatal monitoring among pregnant women with endometriosis or adenomyosis.