A national surveillance approach to monitor incidence of eclampsia: The Netherlands Obstetric Surveillance System

Population-based study of eclampsia: Lessons learnt to improve maternity care

BACKGROUND

Among hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP), eclampsia is a rare but serious event, often considered avoidable. Detailed assessment of the adequacy of care for the women who have eclampsia can help identify opportunities for improvement and for prevention of the associated adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

1/ To estimate the incidence and describe the characteristics of women with eclampsia and to compare them with those of women with non-eclamptic hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP)-related severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and of control women without SMM 2/ To analyse the quality of management in women who had eclampsia, at various stages of their care pathway.

METHODS

It was a planned ancillary analysis of the EPIMOMS population-based study, conducted in six French regions in 2012-2013. Among the 182,309 maternities of the source population, all women with eclampsia (n = 51), with non-eclamptic HDP-related SMM (n = 351) and a 2% representative sample of women without SMM (n = 3,651) were included. Main outcome was the quality of care for eclampsia assessed by an independent expert panel at three different stages of management: antenatal care, care for pre-eclampsia and care for eclampsia.

RESULTS

The eclampsia incidence was 2.8 per 10,000 (95%CI 2.0-4.0). Antenatal care was considered completely inadequate or substandard in 39% of women, as was pre-eclampsia care in 76%. Care for eclampsia was judged completely inadequate or substandard in 50% (21/42), mainly due to inadequate use of magnesium sulphate.

CONCLUSION

The high proportion of inadequate quality of care underlines the need for an evidence-based standardisation of care for HDP.

Severe postpartum hemorrhage and the risk of adverse maternal outcome: A comparative analysis of two population-based studies in France and the Netherlands

Objectives

Among women with severe PPH (sPPH) in France and the Netherlands, we compared incidence of adverse maternal outcome (major obstetric hemorrhage (≥2.5L blood loss) and/or hysterectomy and/or mortality) by mode of delivery. Second, we compared use and timing of resuscitation and transfusion management, second-line uterotonics and uterine-sparing interventions (intra-uterine tamponade, compression sutures, vascular ligation, arterial embolization) by mode of delivery.

Methods

 Secondary analysis of two population-based studies of women with sPPH in France and the Netherlands. Women were selected by a harmonized definition for sPPH: (total blood loss ≥ 1500 ml) AND (blood transfusion of ≥ 4 units packed red blood cells and/or multicomponent blood transfusion).

Findings

Incidence of adverse maternal outcome after vaginal birth was 793/1002, 9.1 % in the Netherlands versus 88/214, 41.1 % in France and 259/342, 76.2% versus 160/270, 59.3% after cesarean. Hemostatic agents such as fibrinogen were administered less frequently (p < 0.001) in the Netherlands (vaginal birth: 83/1002, 8.3% versus 105/2014, 49.5% in France; cesarean: 47/342, 13.7% and 152/270, 55.6%). Second-line uterotonics were started significantly later after PPH-onset in the Netherlands than France (vaginal birth: 46 versus 25 min; cesarean: 45 versus 18 min). Uterine-sparing interventions were less frequently (p < 0.001) applied in the Netherlands after vaginal birth (394/1002,39.3 %, 134/214, 62.6%) and cesarean (133/342, 38.9 % and 155/270, 57.4%), all initiated later after onset of refractory PPH in the Netherlands.

Interpretation

Incidence of adverse maternal outcome was higher among women with sPPH in the Netherlands than France regardless mode of birth. Possible explanatory mechanisms are earlier and more frequent use of second-line uterotonics and uterine-sparing interventions in France compared to the Netherlands.

Characteristics and outcomes of pregnant women hospitalized with severe maternal outcomes in eastern Ethiopia: Results from the Ethiopian Obstetric Surveillance System study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of the present study was to identify facility-based incidence of severe obstetric complications through a newly established obstetric surveillance system in eastern Ethiopia.

METHODS

Monthly registration of obstetric hemorrhage, eclampsia, uterine rupture, severe anemia and sepsis was introduced in 13 maternity units in eastern Ethiopia. At each hospital, a designated clinician reported details of women admitted during pregnancy, childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy from April 01, 2021 to March 31, 2022 developing any of these conditions. Detailed data on sociodemographic characteristics, obstetric complications and status at discharge were collected by trained research assistants.

RESULTS

Among 38 782 maternities during the study period, 2043 (5.3%) women had any of the five conditions. Seventy women died, representing a case fatality rate of 3.4%. The three leading reasons for admission were obstetric hemorrhage (972; 47.6%), severe anemia (727; 35.6%), and eclampsia (438; 21.4%). The majority of the maternal deaths were from obstetric hemorrhage (27/70; 38.6%) followed by eclampsia (17/70; 24.3%).

CONCLUSION

Obstetric hemorrhage, severe anemia and eclampsia were the leading causes of severe obstetric complications in eastern Ethiopia. Almost one in 29 women admitted with obstetric complications died. Audit of quality of care is indicated to design tailored interventions to improve maternal survival and obstetric complications.

Spontaneous haemoperitoneum in pregnancy: Nationwide surveillance and Delphi audit system

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the incidence, diagnostic management strategies and clinical outcomes of women with spontaneous haemoperitoneum in pregnancy (SHiP) and reassess the definition of SHiP.

DESIGN

A population-based cohort study using the Netherlands Obstetric Surveillance System (NethOSS).

SETTING

Nationwide, the Netherlands.

POPULATION

All pregnant women between April 2016 and April 2018.

METHODS

This is a case study of SHiP using the monthly registry reports of NethOSS. Complete anonymised case files were obtained. A newly introduced online Delphi audit system (DAS) was used to evaluate each case, to make recommendations on improving the management of SHiP and to propose a new definition of SHiP.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Incidence and outcomes, lessons learned about clinical management and the critical appraisal of the current definition of SHiP.

RESULTS

In total, 24 cases were reported. After a Delphi procedure, 14 cases were classified as SHiP. The nationwide incidence was 4.9 per 100 000 births. Endometriosis and conceiving after artificial reproductive techniques were identified as risk factors. No maternal and three perinatal deaths occurred. Based on the DAS, adequate imaging of free intra-abdominal fluid, and identifying and treating women with signs of hypovolemic shock could improve the early detection and management of SHiP. A revised definition of SHiP was proposed, excluding the need for surgical or radiological intervention.

CONCLUSIONS

SHiP is a rare and easily misdiagnosed condition that is associated with high perinatal mortality. To improve care, better awareness among healthcare workers is needed. The DAS is a sufficient tool to audit maternal morbidity and mortality.

Establishing the Ethiopian Obstetric Surveillance System for Monitoring Maternal Outcomes in Eastern Ethiopia: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

Although the majority of maternal deaths and complications occur in low-resource settings, almost all existing strong registration and confidential enquiry systems are found in high-resource settings. We developed and piloted the Ethiopian Obstetric Surveillance System (EthOSS), based on the successful United Kingdom Obstetric Surveillance System (UKOSS) methodology, in 3 regions in Ethiopia to improve ongoing surveillance and tracking of maternal morbidities and deaths, as well as confidential enquiry, compared to the currently used maternal death surveillance and response program in Ethiopia.

METHODS

We launched the EthOSS monthly case notification system in 13 hospitals in eastern Ethiopia in April 2021. Study participants included women admitted to the hospitals from April to September 2021 with major adverse obstetric conditions during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy. Designated clinicians at the hospitals used a simple online system to report the number of cases and maternal deaths monthly to the EthOSS team. We present findings on the incidence and case fatality rates for adverse conditions included in the EthOSS.

RESULTS

Over the 6-month pilot period, 904 women with at least 1 EthOSS condition were included in the study, of whom 10 died (case fatality rate, 1.1%). Almost half (46.6%, 421/904) sustained major obstetric hemorrhage, 38.7% (350/904) severe anemia, 29.5% (267/904) eclampsia, 8.8% (80/904) sepsis, and 2.2% (20/904) uterine rupture. To enable care improvement alongside surveillance, the local committee received training on confidential enquiry into maternal deaths from internal and external experts.

CONCLUSIONS

In this facility-based project, data on severe adverse obstetric conditions were captured through voluntary reporting by clinicians. Further analysis is essential to assess the robustness of these data, and confidential enquiry into maternal deaths for specific cases is planned to investigate the appropriateness of care.

Assessment and Prediction of Cardiovascular Contributions to Severe Maternal Morbidity

Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) refers to any unexpected outcome directly related to pregnancy and childbirth that results in both short-term delivery complications and long-term consequences to a women's health. This affects about 60,000 women annually in the United States. Cardiovascular contributions to SMM including cardiac arrest, arrhythmia, and acute myocardial infarction are on the rise, probably driven by changing demographics of the pregnant population including more women of extreme maternal age and an increased prevalence of cardiometabolic and structural heart disease. The utilization of SMM prediction tools and risk scores specific to cardiovascular disease in pregnancy has helped with risk stratification. Furthermore, health system data monitoring and reporting to identify and assess etiologies of cardiovascular complications has led to improvement in outcomes and greater standardization of care for mothers with cardiovascular disease. Improving cardiovascular disease-related SMM relies on a multipronged approach comprised of patient-level identification of risk factors, individualized review of SMM cases, and validation of risk stratification tools and system-wide improvements in quality of care. In this article, we review the epidemiology and cardiac causes of SMM, we provide a framework of risk prediction clinical tools, and we highlight need for organization of care to improve outcomes.

Lessons learned from the perinatal audit of uterine rupture in the Netherlands: A mixed-method study

Background and Aims

To analyze outcomes of nationwide local audits of uterine rupture to draw lessons for clinical care.

Methods

Descriptive cohort study. Critical incident audit sessions within all local perinatal cooperation groups in the Netherlands. Women who sustained uterine rupture between January 1st, 2017 and December 31st, 2019.

Main Outcome Measures

Improvable factors, recommendations, and lessons learned for clinical care. Women's case histories were discussed in multidisciplinary perinatal audit sessions. Participants evaluated care against national and local clinical guidelines and common professional standards to identify improvable factors. Cases and outcomes were registered in a nationwide database.

Results

One hundred and fourteen women who sustained uterine rupture were discussed in local perinatal audit sessions by 40-60 participants on average: A total of 111 (97%) were multiparous of whom 107 (94%) had given birth by cesarean section in a previous pregnancy. The audit revealed 178 improvable factors and 200 recommendations. Six percent (N = 11) of the improvable factors were identified as very likely and 18% (N = 32) as likely to have a relationship with the outcome or occurrence of uterine rupture. Improvable factors were related to inadequate communication, absent, or unclear documentation, delay in diagnosing the rupture, and suboptimal management of labor. Speak up in case a suspicion arises, escalating care by involving specialist obstetricians, addressing the importance of accurate documentation, and improving training related to fetal monitoring were the most frequent recommendations and should be topics for team (skills and drills) training.

Conclusions

Through a nationwide incident audit of uterine rupture, we identified improvable factors related to communication, documentation, and organization of care. Lessons learned include "speaking up," improving the transfer of information and team training are crucial to reduce the incidence of uterine rupture.

Confidential enquiry into maternal deaths in the Netherlands, 2006-2018

INTRODUCTION

To calculate the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) for 2006-2018 in the Netherlands and compare this with 1993-2005, and to describe women's characteristics, causes of death and improvable factors.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

We performed a nationwide, cohort study of all maternal deaths between January 1, 2006 and December 31, 2018 reported to the Audit Committee Maternal Mortality and Morbidity. Main outcome measures were the national MMR and causes of death.

RESULTS

Overall MMR was 6.2 per 100 000 live births, a decrease from 12.1 in 1993-2005 (risk ratio [RR] 0.5). Women with a non-western ethnic background had an increased MMR compared with Dutch women (MMR 6.5 vs. 5.0, RR 1.3). The MMR was increased among women with a background from Surinam/Dutch Antilles (MMR 14.7, RR 2.9). Half of all women had an uncomplicated medical history (79/161, 49.1%). Of 171 pregnancy-related deaths within 1 year postpartum, 102 (60%) had a direct and 69 (40%) an indirect cause of death. Leading causes within 42 days postpartum were cardiac disease (n = 21, 14.9%), hypertensive disorders (n = 20, 14.2%) and thrombosis (n = 19, 13.5%). Up to 1 year postpartum, the most common cause of death was cardiac disease (n = 32, 18.7%). Improvable care factors were identified in 76 (47.5%) of all deaths.

CONCLUSIONS

Maternal mortality halved in 2006-2018 compared with 1993-2005. Cardiac disease became the main cause. In almost half of all deaths, improvable factors were identified and women with a background from Surinam/Dutch Antilles had a threefold increased risk of death compared with Dutch women without a background of migration.

Feasibility of establishing a Canadian Obstetric Survey System (CanOSS) for severe maternal morbidity: a study protocol

INTRODUCTION

Severe maternal morbidity (SMM)-an unexpected pregnancy-associated maternal outcome resulting in severe illness, prolonged hospitalisation or long-term disability-is recognised by many, as the preferred indicator of the quality of maternity care, especially in high-income countries. Obtaining comprehensive details on events and circumstances leading to SMM, obtained through maternity units, could complement data from large epidemiological studies and enable targeted interventions to improve maternal health. The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of gathering such data from maternity units across Canadian provinces and territories, with the goal of establishing a national obstetric survey system for SMM in Canada.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We propose a sequential explanatory mixed-methods study. We will first distribute a cross-sectional survey to leads of all maternity units across Canada to gather information on (1) Whether the unit has a system for reviewing SMM and the nature and format of this system, (2) Willingness to share anonymised data on SMM by direct entry using a web-based platform and (3) Respondents' perception on the definition and leading causes of SMM at a local level. This will be followed by semistructured interviews with respondent groups defined a priori, to identify barriers and facilitators for data sharing. We will perform an integrated analysis to determine feasibility outcomes, a narrative description of barriers and facilitators for data-sharing and resource implications for data acquisition on an annual basis, and variations in top-5 causes of SMM.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The study has been approved by the Mount Sinai and Hamilton Integrated Research Ethics Boards. The study findings will be presented at annual scientific meetings of the Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada, North American Society of Obstetric Medicine, and International Network of Obstetric Survey Systems and published in an open-access peer-reviewed Obstetrics and Gynaecology or General Internal Medicine journal.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in pregnancy during the first wave of COVID-19 in the Netherlands: a prospective nationwide population-based cohort study (NethOSS)

Objective

To describe characteristics, risk factors and maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes of pregnant women infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2).

Design

Multi‐centre prospective population‐based cohort study.

Setting

Nationwide study in the Netherlands.

Population

Pregnant women with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection admitted to hospital or in home‐isolation: 1 March 2020 to 31 August 2020.

Methods

Pregnant women with positive polymerase chain reaction or antibody tests were registered using the Netherlands Obstetrics Surveillance System (NethOSS). (Selective) testing occurred according to national guidelines. Data from the national birth registry (pregnant pre‐coronavirus disease 2019 [COVID‐19] cohort) and an age‐matched cohort of COVID‐19‐positive women (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; fertile age COVID‐19 cohort) were used as reference.

Main outcome measures

Incidence of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in pregnant women. Maternal, obstetric and neonatal outcomes including hospital and intensive care admission.

Results

Of 376 registered pregnant women with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection, 20% (74/376) were admitted to hospital, of whom 84% (62/74) were due to SARS‐CoV‐2; 10% (6/62) were admitted to intensive care and 15% (9/62) to obstetric high‐care units. Risk factors for admission were non‐European country of origin (odds ratio [OR] 1.73, 95% CI 1.01–2.96) and being overweight/obese (OR 1.86, 95% CI 1.51–3.20). No maternal or perinatal deaths occurred. Caesarean section after labour‐onset was increased (OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.09–2.28). Hospital and intensive care admission were higher compared with the fertile age COVID‐19 cohort (OR 6.75, 95% CI 5.18–8.81 and OR 2.52, 95% CI 1.11–5.77, respectively).

Conclusions

Non‐European country of origin and being overweight/obese are risk factors for severe course of SARS‐CoV‐2 infection in pregnancy, risk of caesarean section and hospital and intensive care unit admission are increased.

Tweetable abstract

Pregnant women with SARS‐CoV‐2 in the Netherlands show increased hospital/ICU admission and caesarean section.

Pregnant women with SARS‐CoV‐2 in the Netherlands show increased hospital/ICU admission and caesarean section.

This article includes Author Insights, a video abstract available at: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/583325455/8fa530cd6e

Pregnancy-related death disparities in non-Hispanic Black women

While the rate of pregnancy-related death steadily increases in the United States, this tragic outcome is disproportionately devastating US-born non-Hispanic Black women at a rate that is three to four times that of their White and non-Black Hispanic counterparts. These disparities persist despite controlling for variables such as socioeconomic status, education levels, and geographical location. Pregnancy-related deaths in Black women are largely cardiovascular in etiology, and while these complications also occur in women of other ethnic backgrounds, they often are more severe and more deadly in Black women. This population often lacks adequate prenatal care likely because they face personal and structural barriers. Reversal of barriers during the prenatal period, the implementation of medical protocols during delivery, and the assurance of close follow-up during the postpartum year are vital in improving outcomes. This article will detail seven specific concerns within perinatal care and pregnancy-related death, and offer potential solutions to addressing them. Pregnancy-related death in Black women is not as an isolated event, but rather is one adverse outcome that exists on a broad spectrum of adverse outcomes. Now is the time to reckon with the reality that our nation’s Black women are dying at a disproportionate rate compared to women of other ethnicities due to pregnancy-related complications and suffering lifelong consequences even if they escape this fatal outcome. This is a call to action to understand this deeply devastating, multi-factorial issue so we may strive to eliminate this highly preventable and tragic event altogether.

Don't forget eclampsia in the efforts to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality

Hypertensive disorders are a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Despite advances in prevention and clinical management, women in low-resource countries continue to bear the burden of the sequelae of severe pre-eclampsia-eclampsia. Sustainable strategies to improve the care of women with hypertensive disease, to identify those at risk for hypertensive disease, and to reduce the risk of eclampsia will require partnerships between clinicians and health policy makers. Resources are needed to scale up healthcare access and infrastructure, establish evidence-based protocols for care, and ensure an adequate supply of equipment and drugs. Additionally, efforts for a sustained workforce of perinatal clinicians and staff trained in the assessment and management of hypertensive disease are needed. Effective postpartum care and monitoring are essential to prevent morbidity and mortality due to cardiovascular disease. Culturally appropriate strategies are needed to educate women and their families on the symptoms of pre-eclampsia to address delays in seeking care during pregnancy and postpartum. With targeted, sustained efforts and resources, eclampsia and its associated co-morbidities can be preventable.

Applicability of the WHO maternal near-miss tool: A nationwide surveillance study in Suriname

BACKGROUND

Maternal near-miss (MNM) is an important maternal health quality-of-care indicator. To facilitate comparison between countries, the World Health Organization (WHO) developed the "MNM-tool". However, several low- and middle-income countries have proposed adaptations to prevent underreporting, ie, Namibian and Sub-Sahara African (SSA)-criteria. This study aims to assess MNM and associated factors in middle-income country Suriname by applying the three different MNM tools.

METHODS

A nationwide prospective population-based cohort study was conducted using the Suriname Obstetric Surveillance System (SurOSS). We included women with MNM-criteria defined by WHO-, Namibian- and SSA-tools during one year (March 2017-February 2018) and used hospital births (86% of total) as a reference group.

RESULTS

There were 9114 hospital live births in Suriname in the one-year study period. SurOSS identified 71 women with WHO-MNM (8/1000 live births, mortality-index 12%), 118 with Namibian-MNM (13/1000 live births, mortality-index 8%), and 242 with SSA-MNM (27/1000 live births, mortality-index 4%). Namibian- and SSA-tools identified all women with WHO-criteria. Blood transfusion thresholds and eclampsia explained the majority of differences in MNM prevalence. Eclampsia was not considered a WHO-MNM in 80% (n = 35/44) of cases. Nevertheless, mortality-index for MNM with hypertensive disorders was 17% and the most frequent underlying cause of maternal deaths (n = 4/10, 40%) and MNM (n = 24/71, 34%). Women of advanced age and maroon ethnicity had twice the odds of WHO-MNM (respectively adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 2.6, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.4-4.8 and aOR = 2.0, 95% CI = 1.2-3.6). The stillbirths rate among women with WHO-MNM was 193/1000births, with six times higher odds than women without MNM (aOR = 6.8, 95%CI = 3.0-15.8). While the prevalence and mortality-index differ between the three MNM tools, the underlying causes of and factors associated with MNM were comparable.

CONCLUSIONS

The MNM ratio in Suriname is comparable to other countries in the region. The WHO-tool underestimates the prevalence of MNM (high mortality-index), while the adapted tools may overestimate MNM and compromise global comparability. Contextualized MNM-criteria per obstetric transition stage may improve comparability and reduce underreporting. While MNM studies facilitate international comparison, audit will remain necessary to identify shortfalls in quality-of-care and improve maternal outcomes.

Why magnesium sulfate 'coverage' only is not enough to reduce eclampsia: Lessons learned in a middle-income country

OBJECTIVES

Determine the eclampsia prevalence and factors associated with eclampsia and recurrent seizures in Suriname and evaluate quality-of-care indicator 'magnesium sulfate (MgSO4) coverage'.

STUDY DESIGN

A two-year prospective nationwide cohort study was conducted in Suriname and included women with eclampsia at home or in a healthcare facility.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

We calculated the prevalence by the number of live births obtained from vital registration. Risk factor denominator data concerned hospital births. Descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis were performed.

RESULTS

Seventy-two women with eclampsia (37/10.000 live births) were identified, including two maternal deaths (case-fatality 2.8%). Nulliparity, African-descent and adolescence were associated with eclampsia. Adolescents with eclampsia had significantly lower BPs (150/100 mmHg) than adult women (168/105 mmHg). The first seizure occurred antepartum in 54% (n = 39/72), intrapartum in 19% (n = 14/72) and postpartum in 26% (n = 19/72). Recurrent seizures were observed in 60% (n = 43/72). MgSO4 was administered to 99% (n = 69/70) of women; however 26% received no loading dosage and, in 22% of cases MgSO4 duration was <24 h, i.e. guideline adherence existed in only 43%. MgSO4 was ceased during CS in all women (n = 40). Stable BP was achieved before CS in 46%. The median seizure-to-delivery interval was 27 h, and ranged from four to 36 h.

CONCLUSION

Solely 'MgSO4 coverage' is not a reliable quality-of-care indicator, as it conceals inadequate MgSO4 dosage and timing, discontinuation during CS, stabilization before delivery, and seizure-to-delivery interval. These other quality-of-care indicators need attention from the international community in order to reduce the prevalence of eclampsia.

Levels of serum Hoxb3 and sFlt-1 in pre-eclamptic patients and their effects on pregnancy outcomes

AIM

We aimed to explore a new approach and theoretical basis for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of pre-eclampsia.

METHODS

In total, 103 pre-eclamptic patients (study group: SG) and 100 healthy pregnant women (control group: CG) were enrolled. Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression level of serum Hoxb3. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the content of serum sFlt-1. Pregnancy outcomes in the two groups were recorded, and the correlations of the levels of Hoxb3 and sFlt-1 with the pregnancy outcomes were analyzed.

RESULTS

The relative expression of serum Hoxb3 mRNA in the CG was significantly higher than that in the SG, whereas the content of serum sFlt-1 in the CG was significantly lower than that in the SG. Compared with the CG, the SG had a significantly lower number of spontaneous deliveries, higher number of cesarean deliveries and significantly higher number of uneventful perinatal births. The incidences of intrauterine growth restriction, intrauterine distress, premature infants and neonatal deaths in perinatal infants in the SG were significantly higher than those in the CG. According to the analysis of receiver operating characteristic curves, the areas under the curves of Hoxb3, sFlt-1 and their combined detection for diagnosing pre-eclampsia were 0.799, 0.856 and 0.930, respectively. The areas under the curves for predicting poor perinatal outcomes were 0.724, 0.828 and 0.871, respectively.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, Hoxb3 and sFlt-1 have certain reference significance for the risk evaluation of pre-eclampsia and the adverse pregnancy outcomes of pre-eclampsia women.

Anaphylaxis in pregnancy: a population-based multinational European study

Anaphylaxis in pregnancy is a rare but severe complication for both mother and infant. Population-based data on anaphylaxis in pregnancy are lacking from mainland European countries. This multinational study presents the incidence, causative agents, management and maternal and infant outcomes of anaphylaxis in pregnancy. This descriptive multinational study used a combination of retrospective (Finnish medical registries) and prospective population-based studies (UK, France, Belgium and the Netherlands) to identify cases of anaphylaxis. Sixty-five cases were identified among 4,446,120 maternities (1.5 per 100,000 maternities; 95%CI 1.1-1.9). The incidence did not vary between countries. Approximately three-quarters of reactions occurred at the time of delivery. The most common causes were antibiotics in 27 women (43%), and anaesthetic agents in 11 women (17%; including neuromuscular blocking drugs, 7), which varied between countries. Anaphylaxis had very poor outcomes for one in seven mothers and one in seven babies; the maternal case fatality rate was 3.2% (95%CI 0.4-11.0) and the neonatal encephalopathy rate was 14.3% (95%CI 4.8-30.3). Across Europe, anaphylaxis related to pregnancy is rare despite having a multitude of causative agents and different antibiotic prophylaxis protocols.

Age-period-cohort effects in pre-existing and pregnancy-associated diseases amongst primiparous women

BACKGROUND

The average age at first birth is steadily increasing in developed countries; however, demographic shifts in maternal age at childbearing have not occurred in isolation. While temporal increases in adverse pregnancy outcomes are typically attributed to increases in maternal age, little is known about how maternal health status has changed across maternal age, period of delivery, and birth cohort.

METHODS

Natality files were used to identify primiparous women delivering liveborn, singleton infants in the USA in 1989, 1994, 1999, 2004, 2009, and 2014 (n = 6,857,185). Age-period-cohort models using the intrinsic estimator adjusted for temporal trends in smoking and gestational weight gain were used to quantify temporal changes in the rates of pre-existing (chronic hypertension, pre-existing diabetes) and pregnancy-associated (pregnancy-associated hypertension, gestational diabetes, eclampsia) diseases. Log-linear models were used to model the impact of temporal changes on preterm birth, small, and large for gestational age (SGA/LGA) births.

RESULTS

Significant period effects resulted in temporal increases in the rate of chronic hypertension, pregnancy-associated hypertension, and gestational diabetes, and a significant decrease in the rate of eclampsia. These observed period effects were associated with a 10.6% increase in the rate of SGA and a 7.1% decrease in LGA. Had the rate of pre-existing and pregnancy-associated diseases remained static over this time period, the rate of preterm birth would have increased by 5.9%, but instead only increased by 4.4%.

CONCLUSIONS

Independent of changes in the incidence of pre-existing and pregnancy-associated diseases as women age, the obstetric population is becoming less healthy over time. This is important, as these changes have a direct negative impact on short-term obstetric outcomes and women's long-term health.

Bottom-up development of national obstetric guidelines in middle-income country Suriname

Background

Obstetric guidelines are useful to improve the quality of care. Availability of international guidelines has rapidly increased, however the contextualization to enhance feasibility of implementation in health facilities in low and middle-income settings has only been described in literature in a few instances. This study describes the approach and lessons learned from the ‘bottom-up’ development process of context-tailored national obstetric guidelines in middle-income country Suriname.

Methods

Local obstetric health care providers initiated the guideline development process in Suriname in August 2016 for two common obstetric conditions: hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and post partum haemorrhage (PPH).

Results

The process consisted of six steps: (1) determination of how and why women died, (2) interviews and observations of local clinical practice, (3) review of international guidelines, (4) development of a primary set of guidelines, (5) initiation of a national discussion on the guidelines content and (6) establishment of the final guidelines based on consensus. Maternal enquiry of HDP- and PPH-related maternal deaths revealed substandard care in 90 and 95% of cases, respectively. An assessment of the management through interviews and labour observations identified gaps in quality of the provided care and large discrepancies in the management of HDP and PPH between the hospitals. International recommendations were considered unfeasible and were inconsistent when compared to each other. Local health care providers and stakeholders convened to create national context-tailored guidelines based on adapted international recommendations. The guidelines were developed within four months and locally implemented.

Conclusion

Development of national context-tailored guidelines is achievable in a middle-income country when using a ‘bottom-up’ approach that involves all obstetric health care providers and stakeholders in the earliest phase. We hope the descriptive process of guideline development is helpful for other countries in need of nationwide guidelines.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (10.1186/s12913-019-4377-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.