The Effect of Immigration on Adverse Perinatal Outcomes: Analysis of Experiences at a Turkish Tertiary Hospital

INTRODUCTION: In literature, it is well documented that migration is associated with adverse perinatal outcomes in many countries over the world. But in Turkey, health care providers and obstetricians had to face the effects of migration for the first time after civil war in Syria. Hence, this situation motivated us to conduct the current research in Turkey. Also we aimed to evaluate the effect of immigration on adverse perinatal outcomes, comparing the obstetric results of a native population and an immigrant population, and focusing on relevant indicators of perinatal health. METHODS: Information from the hospital database of pregnant women who had vaginal or cesarean delivery was evaluated. The patients were divided into two groups, native women and immigrant women, according to their ethnic origin. Adverse perinatal outcomes were compared between groups using multivariate regression models. Adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: A total of 6311 patients were evaluated, of which 4271 were classified as native and 2040 were classified as immigrants. Mean hemoglobin level before delivery was significantly lower in the immigrant group. Preterm delivery (aOR: 1.41; 95% CI: 1.19–1.65), stillbirth (aOR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.09–3.23), red blood cell transfusion requirement (aOR: 3.12; 95% CI: 2.02–3.98), unplanned birth rates before hospital arrival (aOR: 2.25; 95% CI: 1.53–3.31), and postpartum infection rates (aOR:2.12; 95% CI: 1.48–3.08) were significantly increased in the immigrant group compared with native group, even considering adjustment for potential confounders. CONCLUSION: The immigration may be an important and independent risk factor for some adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.