A time to be born: Variation in the hour of birth in a rural population of Northern Argentina.
Am J Phys Anthropol
; 166(4): 975-978, 2018 Aug.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29665070
OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed at investigating the timing of birth across the day in a rural population of indigenous and nonindigenous women in the province of Formosa, Argentina in order to explore the variation in patterns in a non-Western setting. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study utilized birth record data transcribed from delivery room records at a rural hospital in the province of Formosa, northern Argentina. The sample included data for Criollo, Wichí, and Toba/Qom women (n = 2421). Statistical analysis was conducted using directional statistics to identify a mean sample direction. Chi-square tests for homogeneity were also used to test for statistical significant differences between hours of the day. RESULTS: The mean sample direction was 81.04°, which equates to 5:24 AM when calculated as time on a 24-hr clock. Chi-squared analyses showed a statistically significant peak in births between 12:00 and 4:00 AM. Birth counts generally declined throughout the day until a statistically significant trough around 5:00 PM. DISCUSSION: This pattern may be associated with the circadian rhythms of hormone release, particularly melatonin, on a proximate level. At the ultimate level, giving birth in the early hours of the morning may have been selected to time births when the mother could benefit from the predator protection and support provided by her social group as well as increased mother-infant bonding from a more peaceful environment.
Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
População Rural
/
Indígenas Sul-Americanos
/
Parto
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Aspecto:
Determinantes_sociais_saude
Limite:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Newborn
/
Pregnancy
País/Região como assunto:
America do sul
/
Argentina
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Am J Phys Anthropol
Ano de publicação:
2018
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de publicação:
Estados Unidos