Provider-Initiated Late Preterm Births in Brazil: Differences between Public and Private Health Services

Pessary Plus Progesterone to Prevent Preterm Birth in Women With Short Cervixes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

To test the effectiveness of cervical pessary in addition to vaginal progesterone for the prevention of preterm birth in women with midpregnancy short cervixes.

METHODS

We performed a multicenter, open-label, randomized controlled trial in 17 perinatal centers. Asymptomatic women with singleton or twin pregnancies and cervical lengths of 30 mm or less, measured at 18 0/7-22 6/7 weeks of gestation, were randomized to cervical pessary plus vaginal progesterone (pessary plus progesterone group) or vaginal progesterone only (progesterone-only group) (200 mg/day). Treatments were used from randomization to 36 weeks of gestation or delivery. The primary outcome was a composite of neonatal mortality and morbidity. Secondary outcomes were delivery before 37 weeks and before 34 weeks of gestation. Analysis was performed according to intention to treat.

RESULTS

Between July 9, 2015, and March 29, 2019, 8,168 women were screened, of whom 475 were randomized to pessary and 461 to progesterone only. The composite perinatal outcome occurred in 19.2% (89/463) of the women in the pessary group compared with 20.9% (91/436) of the women in the progesterone-only group (adjusted risk ratio [aRR] 0.88, 95% CI 0.69-1.12). Delivery rates before 37 weeks of gestation were 29.1% compared with 31.4% (aRR 0.86, 95% CI 0.72-1.04); delivery rates before 34 weeks were 9.9% compared with 13.9% (aRR 0.66, 95% CI 0.47-0.93). Women in the pessary group had more vaginal discharge (51.6% [245/476] vs 25.4% [117/479] [P<.001]), pain (33.1% [157/476] vs 24.1% [111/479] [P=.002]), and vaginal bleeding (9.7% [46/476] vs 4.8% [22/479] [P=.004]).

CONCLUSION

In asymptomatic women with short cervixes, the combination of pessary and progesterone did not decrease rates of neonatal morbidity or mortality when compared with progesterone only.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

Brazilian Clinical Trial Registry (ReBec), UTN:U1111-1164-2636.

Percepção da prematuridade por familiares na unidade neonatal: estudo Transcultural

Introdução: Conhecer a prematuridade pela percepção das famílias de recém-nascidos internados na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva Neonatal sob a perspectiva Transcultural. Materiais e Métodos: Pesquisa qualitativo, descritiva e exploratória. Foram realizadas Observação participante e entrevistas semiestruturadas com 16 familiares de recém-nascidos internados na unidade neonatal de uma maternidade pública do interior baiano. Utilizou-se o software Interface de R pour analyses Multidimensionnelles de Textes et de Questionnaires® e análise de conteúdo. Resultados: Emergiram quatro categorias: O prematuro em suas particularidades na percepção da família; Sentimentos familiares ocasionados pela prematuridade; A espiritualidade como estratégia para significar a prematuridade; A prematuridade por meio dos cuidados profissionais. Discussões: Compreender as experiências das famílias no ambiente neonatal pode contribuir com os profissionais de saúde e instituições na reorientação às suas práticas, visando uma assistência voltada para integralidade, identificando as singularidades de cada família e o reconhecimento da diversidade cultural. Conclusão: Entender a família, em suas necessidades e cultura, colabora com uma assistência mais humana e eficaz, onde a família fará parte do planejamento e da tomada de decisão para cuidar do prematuro amplamente, respeitando o biológico, como também, fatores sociais e psicológicos, contemplando integralmente, o prematuro e sua família.

Preterm births in Iceland 1997-2016: Preterm birth rates by gestational age groups and type of preterm birth

BACKGROUND

The frequency of preterm births has been increasing globally, mainly due to a rise in iatrogenic late preterm births. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of preterm births in Iceland during 1997-2016 by type of preterm birth.

METHODS

This study included all live births in Iceland during 1997-2016 identified from the Icelandic Medical Birth Registry. Risk of preterm birth by time period was assessed with Poisson regression models adjusted for demographic variables and indications for iatrogenic births.

RESULTS

The study population included 87 076 infants, of which 4986 (5.7%) were preterm. The preterm birth rate increased from 5.3% to 6.1% (adjusted rate ratio [ARR] = 1.16, confidence interval [CI] = 1.07-1.26) between 1997-2001 and 2012-2016 overall. The increase was only evident in multiples (ARR 1.41, 95% CI 1.21-1.65), not singletons (1.07, 0.97-1.19). The rate of late preterm births (34-36 weeks) increased significantly (1.24, 1.14-1.40), and the rate of iatrogenic preterm births more than doubled during this period even after adjustment for identified medical indications (2.40, 2.00-2.88). The rate of spontaneous preterm births decreased during the study period (0.63, 0.55-0.73), and the rate of PPROM increased (1.31, 1.09-1.57). The most common contributing indications for iatrogenic births were fetal distress (26.2%), hypertensive disorders (18.2%), and severe preeclampsia (16.9%).

CONCLUSIONS

Preterm birth rates increased in multiples in Iceland between 1997 and 2016, and late and iatrogenic preterm births increased overall. The increase in iatrogenic preterm births remained significant after adjusting for medical indications, suggesting that other factors might be affecting the rise.

Burden of disease in Brazil, 1990-2016: a systematic subnational analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016

BACKGROUND

Political, economic, and epidemiological changes in Brazil have affected health and the health system. We used the Global Burden of Disease Study 2016 (GBD 2016) results to understand changing health patterns and inform policy responses.

METHODS

We analysed GBD 2016 estimates for life expectancy at birth (LE), healthy life expectancy (HALE), all-cause and cause-specific mortality, years of life lost (YLLs), years lived with disability (YLDs), disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs), and risk factors for Brazil, its 26 states, and the Federal District from 1990 to 2016, and compared these with national estimates for ten comparator countries.

FINDINGS

Nationally, LE increased from 68·4 years (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 68·0-68·9) in 1990 to 75·2 years (74·7-75·7) in 2016, and HALE increased from 59·8 years (57·1-62·1) to 65·5 years (62·5-68·0). All-cause age-standardised mortality rates decreased by 34·0% (33·4-34·5), while all-cause age-standardised DALY rates decreased by 30·2% (27·7-32·8); the magnitude of declines varied among states. In 2016, ischaemic heart disease was the leading cause of age-standardised YLLs, followed by interpersonal violence. Low back and neck pain, sense organ diseases, and skin diseases were the main causes of YLDs in 1990 and 2016. Leading risk factors contributing to DALYs in 2016 were alcohol and drug use, high blood pressure, and high body-mass index.

INTERPRETATION

Health improved from 1990 to 2016, but improvements and disease burden varied between states. An epidemiological transition towards non-communicable diseases and related risks occurred nationally, but later in some states, while interpersonal violence grew as a health concern. Policy makers can use these results to address health disparities.

FUNDING

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Brazilian Ministry of Health.

Caesarean sections and the prevalence of preterm and early-term births in Brazil: secondary analyses of national birth registration

OBJECTIVES

To investigate whether the high rates of caesarean sections (CSs) in Brazil have impacted on the prevalence of preterm and early-term births.

DESIGN

Individual-level, cross-sectional analyses of a national database.

SETTING

All hospital births occurring in the country in 2015.

PARTICIPANTS

2 903 716 hospital-delivered singletons in 3157 municipalities, representing >96% of the country's births.

PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES

CS rates and gestational age distribution (<37, 37-38, 39-41 and 42 or more weeks' gestation). Outcomes were analysed according to maternal education, measured in years of schooling and municipal CS rates. Analyses were also adjusted for maternal age, marital status and parity.

RESULTS

Prevalence of CS was 55.5%, preterm prevalence (<37 weeks' gestation) was 10.1% and early-term births (37-38 weeks of gestation) represented 29.8% of all births, ranging from 24.9% among women with <4 years of schooling to 39.8% among those with >12 years of education. The adjusted prevalence ratios of preterm and early-term birth were, respectively, 1.215 (1.174-1.257) and 1.643 (1.616-1.671) higher in municipalities with≥80% CS compared with those <30%.

CONCLUSIONS

Brazil faces three inter-related epidemics: a CS epidemic; an epidemic of early-term births, associated with the high CS rates; and an epidemic of preterm birth, also associated with CS but mostly linked to poverty-related risk factors. The high rates of preterm and early-term births produce an excess of newborns at higher risk of short-term morbidity and mortality, as well as long-term developmental problems. Compared with high-income countries, there is an annual excess of 354 000 preterm and early-term births in Brazil.

Burden of early-term birth on adverse infant outcomes: a population-based cohort study in Brazil

OBJECTIVES

To estimate the national rate of early-term live births in Brazil and to evaluate the effect of birth at 37 and 38 weeks' gestation, as compared with 39 and 40 weeks' gestation on infant outcomes according to precursors of birth and the existence of maternal/fetal medical conditions.

DESIGN

National perinatal population-based cohort study.

SETTING

266 maternity services located in the five Brazilian macroregions.

PARTICIPANTS

18 652 singleton live newborns from 37 0/7 to 40 6/7 weeks of gestation.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Resuscitation in delivery room, oxygen therapy, transient tachypnoea, admission to neonatal intensive care unit (NICU), hypoglycaemia, use of antibiotics, phototherapy, phototherapy after hospital discharge, neonatal death and breastfeeding.

RESULTS

Early terms accounted for 35% (95% CI 33.4% to 36.7%) of all live births. Among provider-initiated births in women without medical conditions, infants of 37 and 38 weeks' gestation had higher odds of oxygen therapy (adjusted OR (AOR) 2.93, 95% CI 1.72 to 4.98 and AOR 1.92 95% CI 1.18 to 3.13), along with admission to NICU (AOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.18 to 3.41 and AOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.02 to 2.60), neonatal death (AOR 14.40, 95% CI 1.94 to 106.69 and AOR 13.76,95% CI 2.84 to 66.75), hypoglycaemia in the first 48 hours of life (AOR 7.86, 95% CI 1.95 to 31.71 and AOR 5.76, 95% CI 1.63 to 20.32), transient tachypnoea (AOR 2.98, 95% CI 1.57 to 5.65 and AOR 2.12, 95% CI 1.00 to 4.48) and the need for phototherapy within the first 72 hours of life (AOR 3.59, 95% CI 1.95 to 6.60 and AOR 2.29, 95% CI 1.49 to 3.53), yet lower odds of breastfeeding up to 1 hour after birth (AOR 0.67, 95% CI 0.53 to 0.86 and AOR 0.87, 95% CI 0.76 to 0.99) and exclusive breastfeeding during hospital stay (AOR 0.68, 95% CI 0.51 to 0.89 and AOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.71 to 0.99).

CONCLUSION

Birth at 37 and 38 weeks' gestation increased the risk of most adverse infant outcomes analysed, especially among provider-initiated births and should be avoided before 39 weeks' gestation in healthy pregnancies.

Caesarean birth rates in public and privately funded hospitals: a cross-sectional study

OBJECTIVE

To examine maternal and obstetric factors influencing births by cesarean section according to health care funding.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study with data from Southeastern Brazil. Caesarean section births from February 2011 to July 2012 were included. Data were obtained from interviews with women whose care was publicly or privately funded, and from their obstetric and neonatal records. Univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to generate crude and adjusted odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) for caesarean section births.

RESULTS

The overall caesarean section rate was 53% among 9,828 women for whom data were available, with the highest rates among women whose maternity care was privately funded. Reasons for performing a c-section were infrequently documented in women's maternity records. The variables that increased the likelihood of c-section regardless of health care funding were the following: paid employment, previous c-section, primiparity, antenatal and labor complications. Older maternal age, university education, and higher socioeconomic status were only associated with c-section in the public system.

CONCLUSIONS

Higher maternal socioeconomic status was associated with greater likelihood of a caesarean section birth in publicly funded settings, but not in the private sector, where funding source alone determined the mode of birth rather than maternal or obstetric characteristics. Maternal socioeconomic status and private healthcare funding continue to drive high rates of caesarean section births in Brazil, with women who have a higher socioeconomic status more likely to have a caesarean section birth in all birth settings.

Provider-initiated delivery, late preterm birth and perinatal mortality: a secondary analysis of the WHO multicountry survey on maternal and newborn health

Introduction

In high-income countries, a reduced clinical threshold for obstetric interventions such as labour induction (LI) and prelabour caesarean delivery (PLCD) has played a substantial role in increasing rates of late preterm births. However, the association between provider-initiated delivery and perinatal outcomes have not been studied in a multicountry setting including low-income and middle-income countries.

Methods

286 hospitals in 29 countries participated in the WHO Multi-Country Survey on Maternal and Newborn Health and yielded 2 52 198 singleton births of at least 34 weeks in 2010–2011. We used an ecological analysis based on generalised estimating equations under multilevel logistic regression to estimate associations between hospital rates of PLCD and LI with rates of late preterm birth (34–36 weeks), stillbirth and intrahospital early neonatal death, in relation to country development based on the Human Development Index (HDI).

Results

Rates of LI were higher in hospitals from very high-HDI (median 10.9%) and high-HDI (11.2%) countries compared with medium-HDI (4.0%) or low-HDI (3.8%) countries. Rates of PLCD were by far the lowest in low-HDI countries compared with countries in the other three categories (5.1% vs 12.0%–17.9%). Higher rates of PLCD were associated with lower perinatal death rates (OR 0.87 (0.79, 0.95) per 5% increase in PLCD) and non-significantly with late preterm birth (1.04 (0.98, 1.10)) regardless of country development. LI rates were positively associated with late preterm birth (1.04 (1.01, 1.06)) regardless of country development and with perinatal death (1.06 (0.98, 1.15)) only in middle-HDI and low- HDI countries.

Conclusion

PLCD was associated with reduced perinatal mortality and non-significantly with increased late preterm birth. LI was associated with increases in both late preterm birth and, in less-developed countries, perinatal mortality. Efforts to provide sufficient, but avoid excessive, access to provider-initiated delivery should be tailored to the local context.