July 2, 2010 -- Planned home births are associated with a tripling of the newborn mortality rate compared with planned hospital deliveries, yet planned home births are also linked to reduced preterm birth and low birth weight, according to a new study.

Research conducted by Joseph R. Wax, MD, and colleagues, from the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Maine Medical Center in Portland, shows that the overall newborn death rate was almost twice as high in planned home vs. planned hospital births, and was almost tripled among those newborns in planned home births without any congenital abnormalities.

Although rare, newborn deaths occurred in 0.2% of the total planned home births included in the analysis, compared with 0.09% of the total planned hospital births. Among infants born without any birth defects, the rates were 0.15% vs. 0.04%, respectively.

Overall, compared with hospital deliveries, planned home births were associated with reduced medical intervention for the mothers and in reduced prematurity and low birth weight, the researchers reported. However, planned home births were also linked to neonatal deaths attributed to respiratory distress and failed resuscitation.