Measuring maternal, foetal and neonatal mortality: Challenges and solutions

Stillbirth mortality by Robson ten-group classification system: A cross-sectional registry of 80 663 births from 16 hospital in sub-Saharan Africa

OBJECTIVE

To assess stillbirth mortality by Robson ten-group classification and the usefulness of this approach for understanding trends.

DESIGN

Cross-sectional study.

SETTING

Prospectively collected perinatal e-registry data from 16 hospitals in Benin, Malawi, Tanzania and Uganda.

POPULATION

All women aged 13-49 years who gave birth to a live or stillborn baby weighting >1000 g between July 2021 and December 2022.

METHODS

We compared stillbirth risk by Robson ten-group classification, and across countries, and calculated proportional contributions to mortality.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Stillbirth mortality, defined as antepartum and intrapartum stillbirths.

RESULTS

We included 80 663 babies born to 78 085 women; 3107 were stillborn. Stillbirth mortality by country were: 7.3% (Benin), 1.9% (Malawi), 1.6% (Tanzania) and 4.9% (Uganda). The largest contributor to stillbirths was Robson group 10 (preterm birth, 28.2%) followed by Robson group 3 (multipara with cephalic term singleton in spontaneous labour, 25.0%). The risk of dying was highest in births complicated by malpresentations, such as nullipara breech (11.0%), multipara breech (16.7%) and transverse/oblique lie (17.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that group 10 (preterm birth) and group 3 (multipara with cephalic term singleton in spontaneous labour) each contribute to a quarter of stillbirth mortality. High mortality risk was observed in births complicated by malpresentation, such as transverse lie or breech. The high mortality share of group 3 is unexpected, demanding case-by-case investigation. The high mortality rate observed for Robson groups 6-10 hints for a need to intensify actions to improve labour management, and the categorisation may support the regular review of labour progress.

Audit as a tool for improving obstetric care in low- and middle-income countries

Maternal and/or perinatal death review or audits aim to improve the quality of health services and reduce deaths due to causes identified. A death review audit cycle identifies causes of deaths and possible modifiable factors, these can point to potential breaks in the continuity of health care and other health systems faults and challenges. It is an important function of audit cycles to develop, implement, monitor, and review action plans to improve the service. The WHO has produced two handbooks (Making Every Baby Count and Monitoring Emergency Obstetric Care) to guide maternal and perinatal death reviews. Health worker related factors accounts for two thirds of aspects that, if done differently may have prevented the adverse outcome. This emphasises the need for skilled health care workers at every delivery and for deliveries to take place in health facilities.

Travelling numbers and broken loops: A qualitative systematic review on collecting and reporting maternal and neonatal health data in low-and lower-middle income countries

Data and indicator estimates are considered vital to document persisting challenges in maternal and newborn health and track progress towards global goals. However, prioritization of standardised, comparable quantitative data can preclude the collection of locally relevant information and pose overwhelming burdens in low-resource settings, with negative effects on the provision of quality of care. A growing body of qualitative studies aims to provide a place-based understanding of the complex processes and human experiences behind the generation and use of maternal and neonatal health data. We conducted a qualitative systematic review exploring how national or international requirements to collect and report data on maternal and neonatal health indicators are perceived and experienced at the sub-national and country level in low-income and lower-middle income countries. We systematically searched six electronic databases for qualitative and mixed-methods studies published between January 2000 and March 2023. Following screening of 4084 records by four reviewers, 47 publications were included in the review. Data were analysed thematically and synthesised from a Complex Adaptive Systems (CAS) theoretical perspective. Our findings show maternal and neonatal health data and indicators are not fixed, neutral entities, but rather outcomes of complex processes. Their collection and uptake is influenced by a multitude of system hardware elements (human resources, relevancy and adequacy of tools, infrastructure, and interoperability) and software elements (incentive systems, supervision and feedback, power and social relations, and accountability). When these components are aligned and sufficiently supportive, data and indicators can be used for positive system adaptivity through performance evaluation, prioritization, learning, and advocacy. Yet shortcomings and broken loops between system components can lead to unforeseen emergent behaviors such as blame, fear, and data manipulation. This review highlights the importance of measurement approaches that prioritize local relevance and feasibility, necessitating participatory approaches to define context-specific measurement objectives and strategies.

Validation of a tool for determining the clinical utility of stillbirth investigations

BACKGROUND

Up to 20% of all stillbirths and 45% of term stillbirths are currently classified as unexplained. Many of these stillbirths do not undergo currently recommended investigations. This may leave questions unanswered and not identify stillbirths with a recurrence risk in subsequent pregnancies.

AIMS

To validate a new tool (Stillbirth Investigation Utility Tool) to identify the clinical utility of investigations in stillbirth and the inter-rater agreement on cause of stillbirth using the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand-Perinatal Death Classification (PSANZ-PDC).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-four stillbirths were randomly selected for inclusion, each assessed independently by five blinded assessors. The investigations were grouped into three categories: clinical and laboratory; placental pathology; and autopsy examination. The cause of death was assigned at the end of each group. Outcome measures were clinical utility of investigations measured by assessor rated usefulness and inter-rater agreement on the assigned cause of death.

RESULTS

Comprehensive maternal history, maternal full blood count, maternal blood group and screen and placenta histopathology were useful in all cases. Clinical photographs were not performed and should have been performed in 50% of cases. The inter-rater agreement on cause of death assigned after all investigation results was 0.93 (95% CI 0.87-1.0).

CONCLUSIONS

The new Stillbirth Investigation Utility Tool showed very good agreement in assigning the cause of death using PSANZ-PDC. Four investigations were useful in all cases. Minor refinements will be made based on feedback to enhance usability for wider implementation in research studies to assess the yield of investigations in stillbirths.

Disruptions to healthcare quality and early child health outcomes: Evidence from health-worker strikes in Kenya

This paper measures the effects of disruptions to healthcare quality at birth on early child health outcomes in Kenya. To identify impacts, we exploit variation in the timing and location of health-worker strikes at individual hospitals across the country between 1999 and 2014. Using data from Demographic Health Surveys, we find that children born during strikes are more likely to suffer a neonatal death. We find similar results using separate data collected in two informal settlements in Nairobi located near hospitals with frequent strikes. These results show that interruptions to healthcare quality can have large immediate health impacts, and suggests that status quo hospital care provides positive benefits. We also find suggestive evidence of reductions in later health investments, measured by vaccine take-up, among those who survive. This study provides the first rigorous evidence on the consequences of health-worker strikes, a frequent but understudied phenomenon in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Timing of neonatal mortality and severe morbidity during the postnatal period: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this review was to determine the timing of overall and cause-specific neonatal mortality and severe morbidity during the postnatal period (1-28 days).

INTRODUCTION

Despite significant focus on improving neonatal outcomes, many newborns continue to die or experience adverse health outcomes. While evidence on neonatal mortality and severe morbidity rates and causes are regularly updated, less is known on the specific timing of when they occur in the neonatal period.

INCLUSION CRITERIA

This review considered studies that reported on neonatal mortality daily in the first week; weekly in the first month; or day 1, days 2-7, and days 8-28. It also considered studies that reported on timing of severe neonatal morbidity. Studies that reported solely on preterm or high-risk infants were excluded, as these infants require specialized care. Due to the available evidence, mixed samples were included (eg, both preterm and full-term infants), reflecting a neonatal population that may include both low-risk and high-risk infants.

METHODS

MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and CINAHL were searched for published studies on December 20, 2019, and updated on May 10, 2021. Critical appraisal was undertaken by 2 independent reviewers using standardized critical appraisal instruments from JBI. Quantitative data were extracted from included studies independently by 2 reviewers using a study-specific data extraction form. All conflicts were resolved through consensus or discussion with a third reviewer. Where possible, quantitative data were pooled in statistical meta-analysis. Where statistical pooling was not possible, findings were reported narratively.

RESULTS

A total of 51 studies from 36 articles reported on relevant outcomes. Of the 48 studies that reported on timing of mortality, there were 6,760,731 live births and 47,551 neonatal deaths with timing known. Of the 34 studies that reported daily deaths in the first week, the highest proportion of deaths occurred on the first day (first 24 hours, 38.8%), followed by day 2 (24-48 hours, 12.3%). Considering weekly mortality within the first month (n = 16 studies), the first week had the highest mortality (71.7%). Based on data from 46 studies, the highest proportion of deaths occurred on day 1 (39.5%), followed closely by days 2-7 (36.8%), with the remainder occurring between days 8 and 28 (23.0%). In terms of causes, birth asphyxia accounted for the highest proportion of deaths on day 1 (68.1%), severe infection between days 2 and 7 (48.1%), and diarrhea between days 8 and 28 (62.7%). Due to heterogeneity, neonatal morbidity data were described narratively. The mean critical appraisal score of all studies was 84% (SD = 16%).

CONCLUSION

Newborns experience high mortality throughout the entire postnatal period, with the highest mortality rate in the first week, particularly on the first day. Ensuring regular high-quality postnatal visits, particularly within the first week after birth, is paramount to reduce neonatal mortality and severe morbidity.

Protocol for a cluster randomised controlled trial of LPG cookstoves compared to usual cooking practices to reduce perinatal mortality and morbidity in rural Bangladesh called Poriborton: the CHANge trial

Background

Household air pollution is a leading health risk for global morbidity and mortality and a major health risk in South Asia. However, there are no prospective investigations of the impact of household air pollution on perinatal morbidity and mortality. Our trial aims to assess the impact of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) for cooking to reduce household air pollution exposure on perinatal morbidity and mortality compared to usual cooking practices in Bangladesh.

Hypothesis

In a community-based cluster randomised controlled trial of pregnant women cooking with LPG throughout pregnancy, perinatal mortality will be reduced by 35% compared with usual cooking practices in a rural community in Bangladesh.

Methods

A two-arm community-based cluster randomised controlled trial will be conducted in the Sherpur district, Bangladesh. In the intervention arm, pregnant women receive an LPG cookstove and LPG in cylinders supplied throughout pregnancy until birth. In the control or usual practice arm, pregnant women continue their usual cooking practices, predominately traditional stoves with biomass fuel. Eligible women are pregnant women with a gestational age of 40–120 days, aged between 15 and 49 years, and permanent residents of the study area. The primary outcome is the difference in perinatal mortality between the LPG arm and the usual cooking arm. Secondary outcomes include (i) preterm birth and low birth weight, (ii) personal level exposure to household air pollution, (iii) satisfaction and acceptability of the LPG stove and stove use, and (iv) cost-effectiveness and cost-utility in reducing perinatal morbidity and mortality. We follow up all women and infants to 45 days after the birth. Personal exposure to household air pollution is assessed at three-time points in a sub-sample of the study population using the MicroPEM™. The total required sample size is 4944 pregnant women.

Discussion

This trial will produce evidence of the effectiveness of reduced exposure to household air pollution through LPG cooking to reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality compared to usual cooking practices. This evidence will inform policies for the adoption of clean fuel in Bangladesh and other similar settings.

Trial registration

Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12618001214224. Prospectively registered on 19 July 2019

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13063-022-06146-7.

Implementing effective community-based surveillance in research studies of maternal, newborn and infant outcomes in low resource settings

Background

Globally adopted health and development milestones have not only encouraged improvements in the health and wellbeing of women and infants worldwide, but also a better understanding of the epidemiology of key outcomes and the development of effective interventions in these vulnerable groups. Monitoring of maternal and child health outcomes for milestone tracking requires the collection of good quality data over the long term, which can be particularly challenging in poorly-resourced settings. Despite the wealth of general advice on conducting field trials, there is a lack of specific guidance on designing and implementing studies on mothers and infants. Additional considerations are required when establishing surveillance systems to capture real-time information at scale on pregnancies, pregnancy outcomes, and maternal and infant health outcomes.

Main body

Based on two decades of collaborative research experience between the Kintampo Health Research Centre in Ghana and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, we propose a checklist of key items to consider when designing and implementing systems for pregnancy surveillance and the identification and classification of maternal and infant outcomes in research studies. These are summarised under four key headings: understanding your population; planning data collection cycles; enhancing routine surveillance with additional data collection methods; and designing data collection and management systems that are adaptable in real-time.

Conclusion

High-quality population-based research studies in low resource communities are essential to ensure continued improvement in health metrics and a reduction in inequalities in maternal and infant outcomes. We hope that the lessons learnt described in this paper will help researchers when planning and implementing their studies.

Perinatal Mortality Analysis in Espírito Santo, Brazil, 2008 to 2017

This is an ecological and time-series study using secondary data on perinatal mortality and its components from 2008 to 2017 in Espírito Santo, Brazil. The data were collected from the Mortality Information System (SIM) and Live Births Information System (SINASC) of the Unified Health System Informatics Department (DATASUS) in June 2019. The perinatal mortality rate (×1000 total births) was calculated. Time series were constructed from the perinatal mortality rate for the regions and Espírito Santo. To analyze the trend, the Prais-Winsten model was used. From 2008 to 2017 there were 8132 perinatal deaths (4939 fetal and 3193 early neonatal) out of a total of 542,802 births, a perinatal mortality rate of 15.0/1000 total births. The fetal/early neonatal ratio was 1.5:1, with a strong positive correlation early neonatal mortality rate, perinatal mortality rate, r (9) = 0.8893, with a significance level of p = 0.000574. The presence of differences in trends by health region was observed. Risk factors that stood out were as follows: mother's age ranging between 10 and 19 or 40 and 49 years old, with no education, a gestational age between 22 and 36 weeks, triple and double pregnancy, and a birth weight below 2499 g. Among the causes of death, 49.70% of deaths were concentrated in category of the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases, fetuses and newborns affected by maternal factors and complications of pregnancy, labor, and delivery (P00-P04), and 11.03% were in the category of intrauterine hypoxia and birth asphyxia (P20-P21), both related to proper care during pregnancy and childbirth. We observed a slow reduction in the perinatal mortality rate in the state of Espírito Santo from 2008 to 2017.

Critical comparative analysis of data sources toward understanding referral during pregnancy and childbirth: three perspectives from Nigeria

BACKGROUND

The highest risk of maternal and perinatal deaths occurs during and shortly after childbirth and is preventable if functional referral systems enable women to reach appropriate health services when obstetric complications occur. Rising numbers of deliveries in health facilities, including in high mortality settings like Nigeria, require formalised coordination across the health system to ensure that women and newborns get to the right level of care, at the right time. This study describes and critically assesses the extent to which referral and its components can be captured using three different data sources from Nigeria, examining issues of data quality, validity, and usefulness for improving and monitoring obstetric care systems.

METHODS

The study included three data sources on referral for childbirth care in Nigeria: a nationally representative household survey, patient records from multiple facilities in a state, and patient records from the apex referral facility in a city. We conducted descriptive analyses of the extent to which referral status and components were captured across the three sources. We also iteratively developed a visual conceptual framework to guide our critical comparative analysis.

RESULTS

We found large differences in the proportion of women referred, and this reflected the different denominators and timings of the referral in each data source. Between 16 and 34% of referrals in the three sources originated in government hospitals, and lateral referrals (origin and destination facility of the same level) were observed in all three data sources. We found large gaps in the coverage of key components of referral as well as data gaps where this information was not routinely captured in facility-based sources.

CONCLUSIONS

Our analyses illustrated different perspectives from the national- to facility-level in the capture of the extent and components of obstetric referral. By triangulating across multiple data sources, we revealed the strengths and gaps within each approach in building a more complete picture of obstetric referral. We see our visual framework as assisting further research efforts to ensure all referral pathways are captured in order to better monitor and improve referral systems for women and newborns.

A scoping review protocol: Mapping the range of policy-related evidence influencing maternal health outcomes in a fragile, low-income country

AIM

The aim of this scoping review is to map the range of policy-related evidence influencing maternal health outcomes and determine the cultural and contextual factors influencing maternal health in Myanmar, a low-income, fragile setting.

DESIGN

Eligible studies identified will include maternal health-related policies, policy documents and research. All types of health-related policies aimed at targeting population health and well-being influencing maternal mortality and morbidity will be considered.

METHODS

This scoping review has been developed using the Joanna Briggs Institute recommendations. The database search will include MEDLINE, CINAHL, Web of Science, Cochrane Library and the grey literature. Documents published in English and Burmese in the past 10 years will be included. Numerical data will be extracted and summarized in diagrammatic form, and a descriptive format will be used to present narrative accounts. Funding approval was granted by the Economic and Social Research Council in January 2020. This protocol was registered with OSF registries (Open-ended Registration) on 30 March 2021.

DISCUSSION

Little is known about which strategies work best as there is less evidence related to health policy and contextual factors in which maternal health care is delivered in fragile, low-income settings. Understanding the context of maternal health is key to the planning and implementation of effective maternal health services designed to address women's needs.

IMPACT

This review will map the range of policy-related evidence influencing maternal health outcomes in Myanmar and will underpin future large-scale research in other low-income and fragile settings. The results of this scoping review will provide recommendations for developing and improving practice and education for nurses and midwives working in resource-restricted contexts.

Trend of preventable neonatal mortality in the States of Brazil

Abstract Objectives: to describe the trend of preventable neonatal mortality due to interventions by the Unified Health System in Brazil from 2000 to 2018, according to groups of causes of death and maternal residence. Methods: mixed ecological study with data from the Mortality Information System and Information System on Live Births. The analysis occurred based on the number and rates of avoidable neonatal mortality, polynomial regression models by least squares method and thematic maps. Results: the avoidable neonatal mortality rate decreased from 10.98 in 2000 to 6.76 per 1,000 live births in 2018. Preventable causes prevailed due to adequate care for women during pregnancy, childbirth, fetus and newborn. Deaths from preventable causes from health promotion actions during pregnancy increased in Maranhão (p=0.003) and the Federal District (p=0.001) and remained stable in nine states. There was stability in the rates of mortality due to delivery in Maranhão, Piauí and Amazonas. The causes avoidable by actions with the newborn showed a decreasing trend, except for Roraima where there was stability. Conclusions: there are inequalities in trends of avoidable neonatal mortality rates in the states second according to the group of causes and the need to improve access to and quality of maternal and child health care in these places

Neonatal mortality burden and trends in UNHCR refugee camps, 2006-2017: a retrospective analysis

Background

More than 100 million people were forcibly displaced over the last decade, including millions of refugees displaced across international borders. Although refugee health and well-being has gained increasing attention from researchers in recent years, few studies have examined refugee birth outcomes or newborn health on a regional or global scale. This study uses routine health information system data to examine neonatal mortality burden and trends in refugee camps between 2006 and 2017.

Methods

Refugee population and mortality data were exported from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Health Information System (HIS) database. Tableau was used to export the data. Stata was used for data cleaning and statistical analysis. Neonatal mortality burdens and trends in refugee camps were analyzed and compared to national and subnational neonatal mortality rates captured by household surveys.

Findings

One hundred fifty refugee camps in 21 countries were included in this study, with an average population of 1,725,433 between 2006 and 2017. A total of 663,892 live births and 3382 neonatal deaths were captured during this period. Annual country-level refugee camp neonatal mortality rates (NMR) ranged from 12 to 56 neonatal deaths per 1000 live births. In most countries and years where national population-based surveys are available, refugee camp NMR as reported in the UNHCR HIS was lower than that of the immediate host community.

Conclusion

The UNHCR HIS provides insights into the neonatal mortality burden among refugees in camp settings and issues to consider in design and use of routine health information systems to monitor neonatal health in sub-national populations. Increased visibility of neonatal deaths and stillbirths among displaced populations can drive advocacy and inform decisions needed to strengthen health systems. Efforts to count every stillbirth and neonatal death are critical, as well as improvements to reporting systems and mechanisms for data review within broader efforts to improve the quality of neonatal care practices within and outside of health facilities.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-021-10343-5.

Rate, Risk Factors, and Causes of Neonatal Deaths in Jordan: Analysis of Data From Jordan Stillbirth and Neonatal Surveillance System (JSANDS)

Background: It has been estimated that 27.8 million neonates will die worldwide between 2018 and 2030 if no improvements in neonatal and maternal care take place. The aim of this study was to determine the rate, risk factors, and causes of neonatal mortality in Jordan. Methods: In August 2019, an electronic stillbirths and neonatal deaths surveillance system (JSANDS) was established in in three large cities through five hospitals. Data on all births, neonatal mortality and their causes, and other characteristics in the period between August 2019 and January 2020 were exported from the JSANDS and analyzed. Results: A total of 10,328 births [10,226 live births (LB) and 102 stillbirths] were registered in the study period, with a rate of 14.1 deaths per 1,000 LBs; 76% were early neonatal deaths and 24% were late deaths. The odds of deaths in the Ministry of Health hospitals were almost 21 times (OR = 20.8, 95% CI: 2.8, 153.1) higher than that in private hospitals. Low birthweight and pre-term babies were significantly more likely to die during the neonatal period compared to full-term babies. The odds of neonatal mortality were significantly higher among babies born to housewives compared to those who were born to employed women (OR = 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2, 6.0). Main causes of neonatal deaths that occurred pre-discharge were respiratory and cardiovascular disorders (43%) and low birthweight and pre-term (33%). The main maternal conditions that attributed to these deaths were complications of the placenta and cord, complications of pregnancy, and medical and surgical conditions. The main cause of neonatal deaths that occurred post-discharge were low birthweight and pre-term (42%). Conclusions: The rate of neonatal mortality have not decreased since 2012 and the majority of neonatal deaths occurred could have been prevented. Regular antenatal visits, in which any possible diseases or complications of pregnant women or fetal anomalies, need to be fully documented and monitored with appropriate and timely medical intervention to minimize such deaths.

No one data source captures all: A nested case-control study of the completeness of maternal death reporting in Banten Province, Indonesia

Background

Indonesia’s national health information systems collect data on maternal deaths but the completeness of reporting is questionable, making it difficult to design appropriate interventions. This study examines the completeness of maternal death reporting by the district health office (DHO) system in Banten Province.

Method

We used a nested-control study design to compare data on maternal deaths in 2016 from the DHO reporting system and the MADE-IN/MADE-FOR method in two districts and one municipality in Banten Province, with the aim of identifying and characterizing missed deaths in the DHO reporting system. The capture-recapture method was used to assess the magnitude of underreporting of maternal deaths by both systems.

Results

A total of 169 maternal deaths were reported in the MADE-IN/MADE-FOR study for calendar year 2016 in the three study areas. The DHO system reported 105 maternal deaths for the same period, of which 90 cases were found in both data sources. Capture-recapture analyses suggest that the MADE-IN/MADE-FOR approach identified 92% (95% CI: 87%–95%) of all maternal deaths, while the DHO system captured 57% (95% CI: 50%–64%) of all maternal deaths. Deaths of women who resided in urban areas had four times higher odds (OR 4.3, 95% CI: 1.52–12.3) of being missed by the DHO system compared to deaths among women who lived in rural or remote areas after adjusting for other covariates.

Conclusion

The DHO reporting system missed approximately half of the maternal deaths in the 3 study areas, suggesting that the DHO system is likely to grossly underestimate the maternal mortality ratio. The DHO reporting system needs to be improved to capture and characterize all maternal deaths.

Risk of Stillbirth for Fetuses With Specific Birth Defects

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the risk of stillbirth (fetal death at 20 weeks of gestation or more) associated with specific birth defects.

METHODS

We identified a population-based retrospective cohort of neonates and fetuses with selected major birth defects and without known or strongly suspected chromosomal or single-gene disorders from active birth defects surveillance programs in nine states. Abstracted medical records were reviewed by clinical geneticists to confirm and classify all birth defects and birth defect patterns. We estimated risks of stillbirth specific to birth defects among pregnancies overall and among those with isolated birth defects; potential bias owing to elective termination was quantified.

RESULTS

Of 19,170 eligible neonates and fetuses with birth defects, 17,224 were liveborn, 852 stillborn, and 672 electively terminated. Overall, stillbirth risks ranged from 11 per 1,000 fetuses with bladder exstrophy (95% CI 0-57) to 490 per 1,000 fetuses with limb-body-wall complex (95% CI 368-623). Among those with isolated birth defects not affecting major vital organs, elevated risks (per 1,000 fetuses) were observed for cleft lip with cleft palate (10; 95% CI 7-15), transverse limb deficiencies (26; 95% CI 16-39), longitudinal limb deficiencies (11; 95% CI 3-28), and limb defects due to amniotic bands (110; 95% CI 68-171). Quantified bias analysis suggests that failure to account for terminations may lead to up to fourfold underestimation of the observed risks of stillbirth for sacral agenesis (13/1,000; 95% CI 2-47), isolated spina bifida (24/1,000; 95% CI 17-34), and holoprosencephaly (30/1,000; 95% CI 10-68).

CONCLUSION

Birth defect-specific stillbirth risk was high compared with the U.S. stillbirth risk (6/1,000 fetuses), even for isolated cases of oral clefts and limb defects; elective termination may appreciably bias some estimates. These data can inform clinical care and counseling after prenatal diagnosis.

Induction of labour at 41 weeks versus expectant management and induction of labour at 42 weeks (SWEdish Post-term Induction Study, SWEPIS): multicentre, open label, randomised, superiority trial

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate if induction of labour at 41 weeks improves perinatal and maternal outcomes in women with a low risk pregnancy compared with expectant management and induction of labour at 42 weeks.

DESIGN

Multicentre, open label, randomised controlled superiority trial.

SETTING

14 hospitals in Sweden, 2016-18.

PARTICIPANTS

2760 women with a low risk uncomplicated singleton pregnancy randomised (1:1) by the Swedish Pregnancy Register. 1381 women were assigned to the induction group and 1379 were assigned to the expectant management group.

INTERVENTIONS

Induction of labour at 41 weeks and expectant management and induction of labour at 42 weeks.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

The primary outcome was a composite perinatal outcome including one or more of stillbirth, neonatal mortality, Apgar score less than 7 at five minutes, pH less than 7.00 or metabolic acidosis (pH <7.05 and base deficit >12 mmol/L) in the umbilical artery, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, intracranial haemorrhage, convulsions, meconium aspiration syndrome, mechanical ventilation within 72 hours, or obstetric brachial plexus injury. Primary analysis was by intention to treat.

RESULTS

The study was stopped early owing to a significantly higher rate of perinatal mortality in the expectant management group. The composite primary perinatal outcome did not differ between the groups: 2.4% (33/1381) in the induction group and 2.2% (31/1379) in the expectant management group (relative risk 1.06, 95% confidence interval 0.65 to 1.73; P=0.90). No perinatal deaths occurred in the induction group but six (five stillbirths and one early neonatal death) occurred in the expectant management group (P=0.03). The proportion of caesarean delivery, instrumental vaginal delivery, or any major maternal morbidity did not differ between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

This study comparing induction of labour at 41 weeks with expectant management and induction at 42 weeks does not show any significant difference in the primary composite adverse perinatal outcome. However, a reduction of the secondary outcome perinatal mortality is observed without increasing adverse maternal outcomes. Although these results should be interpreted cautiously, induction of labour ought to be offered to women no later than at 41 weeks and could be one (of few) interventions that reduces the rate of stillbirths.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

Current Controlled Trials ISRCTN26113652.

Analysis of neonatal mortality risk factors in Brazil: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

OBJECTIVE

To identify, using a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies, which risk factors are significantly associated with neonatal mortality in Brazil, and to build a comprehensive national analysis on neonatal mortality.

SOURCES

This review included observational studies on neonatal mortality, performed between 2000 and 2018 in Brazilian cities. The MEDLINE, Elsevier, Cochrane, LILACS, SciELO, and OpenGrey databases were used. For the qualitative analysis, the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used. For the quantitative analysis, the natural logarithms of the risk measures and their confidence intervals were used, as well as the DerSimonian and Laird method as a random effects model, and the Mantel-Haenszel model for heterogeneity estimation. A confidence level of 95% was considered.

SUMMARY OF FINDINGS

The qualitative analysis resulted in six studies of low and four studies of intermediate-low bias risk. The following exposure factors were significant: absence of partner, maternal age ≥35 years, male gender, multiple gestation, inadequate and absent prenatal care, presence of complications during pregnancy, congenital malformation in the assessed pregnancy, Apgar<7 at the fifth minute, low and very low birth weight, gestational age≤37 weeks, and caesarean delivery.

CONCLUSION

The most significant risk factors presented in this study are modifiable, allowing aiming at a real reduction in neonatal deaths, which remain high in the country.

Estimating Maternal Mortality in Remote Rural Regions: an Application of the Sisterhood Method in Tajikistan

Introduction

The sisterhood method of maternal mortality data collection and analysis provides a validated framework for estimating maternal mortality ratios in situations of limited infrastructure. The aim of this study is to assess sub-national maternal mortality in the Badakhshan region of Tajikistan using the sisterhood method as part of a larger ethnographic study on maternal risk.

Methods

In 2006–2007, 1004 married women of reproductive age in Gorno-Badakhshan Autonomous Oblast, Tajikistan were surveyed using the sisterhood method. Respondents were asked eleven questions about the sex, age and survivorship of all children born to the respondent’s mother.

Results

Using a national total fertility rate (TFR) estimate of 4.88, the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) in Tajik Badakhshan was 141 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births (95% CI 49–235). The lifetime risk of maternal death was 1 in 141 (95% CI 34–103).

Conclusion

Given the inherent time-lag of the sisterhood method, precise estimates of maternal mortality are dependent on accurate TFRs, which may vary based upon regional experiences of demographic transitions. Socio-political instability and the dismantling of Soviet welfare programs and civil war following Tajikistan’s independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 likely impacted TFR in Tajik Badakhshan. Socio-political trends influencing TFR in rural regions compared to urban, and the investigation of factors associated with maternal mortality, require additional investigation.

Epidemiological investigation of perinatal deaths in Recife-Pernambuco: a quality assessment

OBJECTIVE

to evaluate the completeness of perinatal death investigation sheets, stratified by age components.

METHOD

descriptive study carried out in Recife, PE, in 2014. Among 308 perinatal deaths, 46 were excluded from this study due to association with congenital malformations, and 7 due to missing investigation sheets. Analysis included 255 deaths (160 fetal deaths, and 95 preterm neonatal deaths). The degree of completeness of 98 variables was calculated. They were aggregated into six blocks: identification, prenatal care, birth care, family characteristics, occurrence of death and conclusions and recommendations.

RESULTS

the median rate of completeness for perinatal death investigation sheets was 85.7% (82.8% for records of fetal deaths and 89.5% for records of preterm neonatal deaths). The best-filled information block was "identification" (96.1%), as well as its components: fetal (94.7%) and preterm neonatal (97.9%). The worst was "prenatal care" (69.8%), along with its components: fetal (73.8%) and preterm neonatal (67.4%).

CONCLUSION

investigation sheets had good completeness; there were differences between variables and components of perinatal death.

Avaliação das informações do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC), Brasil

Resumo: Neste trabalho, avaliam-se quantitativa e qualitativamente as informações do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos (SINASC). A cobertura das informações por município foi estimada pela razão entre nascidos vivos informados e estimados. Para avaliação da qualidade das informações do SINASC, relacionou-se o sistema à base de dados do estudo Nascer no Brasil, 2011-2012, e foram estimados coeficientes kappa de concordância. Em 2013, a cobertura das informações foi alta e homogênea em todas as Unidades da Federação. Entretanto, a análise por município brasileiro apresentou maior heterogeneidade espacial. Quanto à qualidade de preenchimento das informações do SINASC, os coeficientes kappa de concordância foram estatisticamente diferentes de zero para todas as variáveis testadas (p < 0,001), e as distribuições marginais para todas as variáveis consideradas foram semelhantes nas duas bases de dados. A idade gestacional foi a variável que mostrou pior concordância, com valor de kappa de 0,461. O indicador que descreve as inconsistências, medido pela soma do quadrado das diferenças entre os percentuais de prematuridade informados e esperados por faixa de peso ao nascer, teve o valor mais alto na Região Norte e o menor na Região Sul, apontando para desigualdades geográficas na mensuração da idade gestacional.

Disentangling the contributions of maternal and fetal factors to estimate stillbirth risks for intrapartum adverse events in Tanzania and Uganda

OBJECTIVE

To estimate the stillbirth risk associated with intrapartum adverse events, controlling for fetal and maternal factors.

METHODS

The present study was an analysis of cross-sectional patient-record and facility-file data from women with viable fetuses who experienced obstetric adverse events at 23 hospitals and 38 health centers in Tanzania (between December 2015 and October 2016), and 22 hospitals, 16 level-4 health centers, and five level-3 health centers in Uganda (between May 2016 and September 2017). Adverse events were categorized in three severity groups (postpartum, intrapartum non-near-miss, and intrapartum near-miss) to calculate stillbirth rates and adjusted prevalence ratios.

RESULTS

Data from 3816 women in Tanzania and 8305 in Uganda were included. Compared with postpartum adverse events, intrapartum near-miss was associated with a 3.73- and 4.55-fold higher prevalence of stillbirth in Uganda and Tanzania, respectively. Most women who experienced near-miss had organ dysfunction on arrival or developed it soon after. The risk of stillbirth was higher among preterm deliveries compared with term deliveries, and was 42% and 59% lower in Tanzania and Uganda, respectively, for cesarean deliveries compared with vaginal deliveries after intrapartum non-near-miss adverse events.

CONCLUSION

Stillbirth risk increased with severity of complications and was higher among premature deliveries. Survival was higher for cesarean deliveries in intrapartum non-near-miss complications, identifying the opportunity to prevent deterioration by timely actions.

The fetus at the tipping point: modifying the outcome of fetal asphyxia

Brain injury around birth is associated with nearly half of all cases of cerebral palsy. Although brain injury is multifactorial, particularly after preterm birth, acute hypoxia-ischaemia is a major contributor to injury. It is now well established that the severity of injury after hypoxia-ischaemia is determined by a dynamic balance between injurious and protective processes. In addition, mothers who are at risk of premature delivery have high rates of diabetes and antepartum infection/inflammation and are almost universally given treatments such as antenatal glucocorticoids and magnesium sulphate to reduce the risk of death and complications after preterm birth. We review evidence that these common factors affect responses to fetal asphyxia, often in unexpected ways. For example, glucocorticoid exposure dramatically increases delayed cell loss after acute hypoxia-ischaemia, largely through secondary hyperglycaemia. This critical new information is important to understand the effects of clinical treatments of women whose fetuses are at risk of perinatal asphyxia.

Early antenatal care visit: a systematic analysis of regional and global levels and trends of coverage from 1990 to 2013

BACKGROUND

The timing of the first antenatal care visit is paramount for ensuring optimal health outcomes for women and children, and it is recommended that all pregnant women initiate antenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy (early antenatal care visit). Systematic global analysis of early antenatal care visits has not been done previously. This study reports on regional and global estimates of the coverage of early antenatal care visits from 1990 to 2013.

METHODS

Data were obtained from nationally representative surveys and national health information systems. Estimates of coverage of early antenatal care visits were generated with linear regression analysis and based on 516 logit-transformed observations from 132 countries. The model accounted for differences by data sources in reporting the cutoff for the early antenatal care visit.

FINDINGS

The estimated worldwide coverage of early antenatal care visits increased from 40·9% (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 34·6-46·7) in 1990 to 58·6% (52·1-64·3) in 2013, corresponding to a 43·3% increase. Overall coverage in the developing regions was 48·1% (95% UI 43·4-52·4) in 2013 compared with 84·8% (81·6-87·7) in the developed regions. In 2013, the estimated coverage of early antenatal care visits was 24·0% (95% UI 21·7-26·5) in low-income countries compared with 81·9% (76·5-87·1) in high-income countries.

INTERPRETATION

Progress in the coverage of early antenatal care visits has been achieved but coverage is still far from universal. Substantial inequity exists in coverage both within regions and between income groups. The absence of data in many countries is of concern and efforts should be made to collect and report coverage of early antenatal care visits to enable better monitoring and evaluation.

FUNDING

Department of Reproductive Health and Research, WHO and UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction.