Objective
This study was undertaken to use the Arizona State birth certificate database for
Phoenix metropolitan hospitals, in conjunction with National Weather Service records
to determine whether there is a relationship between birth rate and meteorologic or
lunar conditions. This study attempts to dispel or lend significance to beliefs among
hospital staff that the phase of the moon and/or meteorologic conditions are related
to birth rate.
Study design
Birth records were limited to spontaneous vaginal deliveries, 37 to 40 weeks' gestation,
in Phoenix, between 1995 and 2000 (n = 167,956). Daily birth counts were merged with daily surface weather statistics from
the National Weather Service for Sky Harbor Airport, and records of lunar phase for
the same period.
Results
The analyses revealed no significant correlates of birth rate.
Conclusion
Although there exists a popular belief that the phase of the lunar cycle and weather
conditions affect birth rate, no such evidence was found in this study.
Key words
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Article Info
Footnotes
Presented at the 71st Annual Meeting of the Pacific Coast Obstetrical and Gynecological Society, October 19-24, 2004, Phoenix, Ariz.
Reprints are not available from the authors.
Identification
Copyright
© 2005 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
