Births at Christmas are different: population based survey of 2 million deliveries

• Published in: BMJ Vol. 315; no. 7123; pp. 1654 - 1655
• Main Authors: Melbye, Mads, Wohlfahrt, Jan, Westergaard, Tine, Jensen, Anne Kristine Valeur, Koch, Anders, Hjalgrim, Henrik, Kristensen, Annemette, Aaby, Peter
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: London British Medical Journal Publishing Group 20.12.1997; British Medical Association; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Edition: International edition
• Subjects: Age distribution; Biological and medical sciences; Births; Cesarean section; Children; Christmas; Delivery. Postpartum. Lactation; Disorders; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Medical sciences; Population; Research fellowships; Denmark; Human; Pregnancy disorders; Preparation; Risk factor; Premature delivery; Delivery disorders; Fatigue; Female; Epidemiology; Age; Stress

Records from the Danish national birth registry were examined. The study indicates that the increase in the proportion of preterm births around Christmas was entirely explained by a lower rate of other births during this time.