A study published in JAMA Network Open on February 8 provides reassuring news for expectant mothers with endometriosis, indicating that the condition does not significantly increase the risk of preterm birth after adjusting for other factors. These findings may help alleviate concerns among patients and inform clinical decision-making regarding pregnancy monitoring for women with endometriosis.
The study, led by Dr. Louis Marcellin from Université de Paris, analyzed data from 1,351 pregnant women enrolled before 22 weeks of gestation. Researchers compared pregnancy outcomes between women diagnosed with endometriosis and those without the condition. While initial data suggested a slightly higher rate of preterm births in women with endometriosis (7.2% vs. 6.0%), further analysis adjusting for confounding factors—such as maternal age, obesity, and prior obstetric history—revealed that endometriosis was not an independent risk factor for preterm birth.
The findings challenge previous assumptions about the impact of endometriosis on pregnancy outcomes. While the condition is associated with infertility and other reproductive complications, this study suggests that, once conception occurs, endometriosis does not substantially alter the likelihood of carrying a pregnancy to term. The authors highlight the need for continued research to explore potential subgroup differences, such as the impact of severe endometriosis or specific treatment histories on pregnancy outcomes. However, they conclude that routine pregnancy care for women with endometriosis does not require significant modifications based on concerns of preterm birth alone.
