Influence of fetal gender on overall perinatal outcome: a prospective observational study.

Background: Fetal gender is considered as one of significant predictors of pregnancy and perinatal outcome. The aim of this study is to assess impact of fetal gender on perinatal outcome.

Methods: Present observational study was conducted in Obstetrics and Gynecology department of rural tertiary center of Northern India over one year (January-December 2018) on all randomly selected antenatal women at gestation ≥28 weeks, delivering by any route (cesarean/vaginal) and fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled. Immediately after delivery, neonatal birth weight was measured using table top beam weighing scale. Apgar scores at 1- and 5-minutes, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit admission, neonatal complications were assessed by pediatrician. Adverse perinatal outcome including neonatal morbidities (prematurity, neonatal intensive care unit admission, neonatal complications) and perinatal mortality were compared between two genders. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 22 version software.

Results: Of 3085 delivered neonates, 1450 (47%) were females, 1,633(52.9%) males and two (0.06%) had ambiguous genitalia, hence excluded. Mean values for neonatal birth weight for males was 2.77±0.540 kg and females 2.65±0.506 kg (P=0.0000). One- and 5-minute Apgar scores for male neonate were 6.81±1.565, 8.51±1.841 and for females 6.98±1.184, 8.70±1.383, respectively (P=0.001). NICU admission rate, need for oxygen and intubation, complications were significantly higher for male neonates (P<0.05) whereas females had higher incidence of intra-uterine growth restriction (P=0.000). Intra-uterine deaths were also more common with male gender (P=0.007). No significant difference was observed between two genders in relation to gestation at birth (P>0.05).

Conclusions: Male neonates had higher birth weight, but adverse perinatal outcome as compared to females.