Comparison of Perinatal Outcome of Preterm Births Starting in Primary Care versus Secondary Care in Netherlands: A Retrospective Analysis of Nationwide Collected Data

Demographic Profile, Etiology, and Perinatal Outcome Associated With Preterm Birth in a Tertiary Hospital of Eastern India: A Retrospective Study

Background

Preterm birth (PB), defined as birth occurring at less than 37 weeks of gestation, is a leading cause of perinatal mortality and morbidity in the world.

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the socio-demographic characteristics and etiological factors associated with preterm birth and consequent adverse perinatal outcomes retrospectively at a tertiary care hospital. 

Methods

A single-centre retrospective observational study was conducted in the department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Fakir Mohan Medical College & Hospital, Balasore, Odisha, India, from April 2019 to March 2020. Data were retrieved from the antenatal ward admission register, case files, theatre records, and neonatal care unit records and reviewed. Descriptive statistics were used to describe data. Chi-square test and student’s t-test were used to find significance of difference between variables.

Results

The incidence of preterm birth in the study population was 5.52%. The mean gestational age of preterm deliveries was 34.39 ± 1.92 weeks. The bulk of the women hailed from a rural background and belonged to the lower socioeconomic strata. About 47.29% of the women were nulliparous and spontaneous preterm birth was noted in 70.40%. Premature rupture of membranes (PROM), anaemia, intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), preeclampsia, and eclampsia were the most common adverse pregnancy conditions prevalent in these women. Preterm deliveries comprised 31.21% of all neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) admissions. Respiratory distress syndrome, birth asphyxia, neonatal sepsis, and jaundice were the most common complications. Neonatal death occurred in 51 (9.21%) preterm infants with birth asphyxia being the commonest cause of such deaths. Maternal factors and adverse neonatal outcome variables were compared between the spontaneous and iatrogenic/medically indicated preterm birth groups. Preeclampsia, IUGR, and cesarean section were more significantly associated with the iatrogenic group.

Conclusion

Our study provides a general overview of the associated etiological factors and perinatal health concerns associated with preterm birth in a rural/semi-urban setting in Eastern India. The findings might provide essential data for taking steps toward the prevention and management of preterm birth from a developing country’s perspective.

Obstetric and Perinatal Morbidity in Northern Tasmanian Aboriginal Population: A Retrospective Cohort Study

INTRODUCTION

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women are at increased risk of maternal morbidity and mortality as compared to non-Aboriginals. Similarly, aboriginal babies are at increased risk of low birth weight and infant mortality.

AIM

To investigate the independent association of aboriginality with Tasmanian maternal and neonatal morbidity.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective analysis of all the births (gestation more than 20 weeks) from June 2013 to May 2014 was conducted at the Launceston General Hospital, Tasmania. The study compared 66 Aboriginal (4.2% of the total births) to 1477 non-aboriginal births for maternal and neonatal morbidity. Comparisons were made using logistic regression. The outcome measures were maternal and neonatal morbidity.

RESULTS

Significantly higher number of aboriginal women (49% vs 19%; OR 4.15 90%CI 2.52- 6.85) smoked and used illicit drugs (15% vs 2%; OR 9.24; 95%CI 4.28-19.96) than the non-aboriginal women (both p<0.001). Maternal morbidity was not significantly different between aboriginal compared to non-aboriginal women (OR 0.64; 95%CI 0.36-1.14; p=0.13; adjusted OR 1.00; 95%CI 0.52-1.93; p=0.99). Factors positively associated with maternal morbidity included: age (OR 1.28; 95%CI 1.13-1.46; p<0.01) and BMI (OR 1.50; 95%CI 1.33-1.70; p<0.01). The unadjusted OR of neonatal morbidity for aboriginality was 1.98 (95%CI 1.17-3.34; p=0.01) and adjusted was 1.45 (95%CI 0.77-2.72; p=0.25). Factors positively associated with neonatal morbidity included smoking (OR 2.24; 95%CI 1.59-3.14; p<0.01), illicit drug use 95%CI 1.49-(OR 3.26; 95%CI 1.49-7.13; p <0.01), hypertension (OR 2.49; 95%CI 1.61-3.84; p<0.01) and diabetes (OR 1.92; 95%CI 1.33-2.78; p<0.01).

CONCLUSION

The composite Aboriginal maternal morbidity does not differ, however the increased rates of smoking and illicit drug use are largely responsible for neonatal morbidity. Along with strengthening strategies to decrease medical comorbidities in aboriginals, we recommend intensifying smoking and illicit drug cessation programs.

Determinants of low APGAR score among preeclamptic deliveries in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital: a retrospective cohort study in 2014

Background: Preeclampsia has great implication on adverse neonatal outcome. Appearance, pulse, grimace, activity, respiration (APGAR) score at 1 or 5 minutes is one of the indicators of physiologic maturity of the infant. Therefore, the aim of this study was to know the correlation of APGAR score in preeclamptic deliveries with its risk factors. Methods: This study was a retrospective cohort. Data were collected from January to December 2013 including all preeclamptic women with singleton live pregnancies who delivered their babies in Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta. The primary outcome was APGAR score. There were some determinants conducted in this study. Binary logistic was used as multivariate analysis to analyze the correlation between APGAR score and risk factors of preeclampsia, data were analyzed using chi square test. Results: Out of 450 preeclamptic women, 446 of them met the inclusion criteria. Low APGAR scores at 1 and 5 minutes were found in 19% (86/446) and 5.4% (24/446) of neonates respectively. Early onset of preeclampsia (adjusted OR = 4.577; 95% CI = 2.147 - 9.757), white blood cell ≥ 15,000/μL (adjusted OR = 3.315; 95% CI = 1.738 – 6.324), HELLP syndrome (adjusted OR = 2.00; 95% CI = 1.38 – 2.91) were independent risk factors for having infant with low APGAR score at 1 minute. Meanwhile, there was no significant risk factors at 5 minutes APGAR score after adjustment.Conclusion: Leukocytosis, early onset preeclampsia, preterm birth, and thrombocytopenia, severity of preeclampsia, and HELLP syndrome are independent risks of having infant born with low APGAR score at 1 minute in preeclamptic deliveries.