A Cochrane review [Abstract] 1 included 21 trials involving 11 246 women. The trials were generally of good to excellent quality. Programs offering additional social support for at-risk pregnant women were not associated with improvements in any perinatal outcomes: the numbers of preterm babies; low birthweight babies, or perinatal mortality, but there was a reduction in the likelihood of antenatal hospital admission and caesarean birth.
| Outcome | Relative effect (95% CI) | Risk with usual care during pregnancy | Risk with additional support (95% CI) | №of participants (studies) Quality of evidence |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birthweight < 2500 g | RR 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) | 127 per 1000 | 120 per 1000 (109 to 132) | 11770 (16) Moderate |
| Gestational age< 37 weeks at birth | RR 0.92 (0.84 to 1.01) | 128 per 1000 | 117 per 1000 (107 to 129) | 12282 (14) Moderate |
| Stillbirth/neonatal death | RR 1.11 (0.88 to 1.41) | 21 per 1000 | 23 per 1000 (19 to 30) | 12091 (15) Low |
| Caesarean section | RR 0.90 (0.83 to 0.97) | 215 per 1000 | 194 per 1000 (179 to 209) | 9550 (15) Moderate |
| Antenatal hospital admissions Number of admissions per woman | RR 0.78 (0.68 to 0.91) | 524 per 1000 | 409 per 1000 (356 to 477) | 787 (4) Moderate |
| Postnatal depression Positive EPDS score | RR 0.74 (0.55 to 1.01) | 168 per 1000 | 124 per 1000 (92 to 169) | 1008 (1) Moderate |
Comment: The quality of evidence is downgraded by study quality (unclear allocation concelament and/ or blinding).
Primary/Secondary Keywords