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Gutman A, Harty T, O'Donoghue K, Greene R, Leitao S. Perinatal mortality audits and reporting of perinatal deaths: systematic review of outcomes and barriers. J Perinat Med 2022; 50:684-712. [PMID: 35086187 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2021-0363] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Perinatal deaths are a devastating experience for all families and healthcare professionals involved. Audit of perinatal mortality (PNM) is essential to better understand the factors associated with perinatal death, to identify key deficiencies in healthcare provision and should be utilised to improve the quality of perinatal care. However, barriers exist to successful audit implementation and few countries have implemented national perinatal audit programs. CONTENT We searched the PubMed, EMBASE and EBSCO host, including Medline, Academic Search Complete and CINAHL Plus databases for articles that were published from 1st January 2000. Articles evaluating perinatal mortality audits or audit implementation, identifying risk or care factors of perinatal mortality through audits, in middle and/or high-income countries were considered for inclusion in this review. Twenty articles met inclusion criteria. Incomplete datasets, nonstandard audit methods and classifications, and inadequate staff training were highlighted as barriers to PNM reporting and audit implementation. Failure in timely detection and management of antenatal maternal and fetal conditions and late presentation or failure to escalate care were the most common substandard care factors identified through audit. Overall, recommendations for perinatal audit focused on standardised audit tools and training of staff. Overall, the implementation of audit recommendations remains unclear. SUMMARY This review highlights barriers to audit practices and emphasises the need for adequately trained staff to participate in regular audit that is standardised and thorough. To achieve the goal of reducing PNM, it is crucial that the audit cycle is completed with continuous re-evaluation of recommended changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlene Gutman
- School of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Tommy Harty
- School of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Cork University Hospital, Cork, Ireland
| | - Keelin O'Donoghue
- Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.,The Irish Centre for Maternal and Child Health Research (INFANT), University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Richard Greene
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Cork University Maternity Hospital, Cork, Ireland.,National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
| | - Sara Leitao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, School of Medicine and Health, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,Pregnancy Loss Research Group (PLRG), Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.,National Perinatal Epidemiology Centre, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland
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Pekkola M, Tikkanen M, Loukovaara M, Lohi J, Paavonen J, Stefanovic V. Postmortem examination protocol and systematic re-evaluation reduce the proportion of unexplained stillbirths. J Perinat Med 2020; 48:771-777. [PMID: 31990664 DOI: 10.1515/jpm-2019-0426] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
Abstract
Background Stillbirth often remains unexplained, mostly due to a lack of any postmortem examination or one that is incomplete and misinterpreted. Methods This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Helsinki University Hospital, Finland, and comprised 214 antepartum singleton stillbirths from 2003 to 2015. Maternal and fetal characteristics and the results of the systematic postmortem examination protocol were collected from medical records. Causes of death were divided into 10 specific categories. Re-evaluation of the postmortem examination results followed. Results Based on our systematic protocol, the cause of death was originally defined and reported as such to parents in 133 (62.1%) cases. Re-evaluation of the postmortem examination results revealed the cause of death in an additional 43 (20.1%) cases, with only 23 (10.7%) cases remaining truly unexplained. The most common cause of stillbirth was placental insufficiency in 56 (26.2%) cases. A higher proportion of stillbirths that occurred at ≥39 gestational weeks remained unexplained compared to those that occurred earlier (24.1% vs. 8.6%) (P = 0.02). Conclusion A standardized postmortem examination and a re-evaluation of the results reduced the rate of unexplained stillbirth. Better knowledge of causes of death may have a major impact on the follow-up and outcome of subsequent pregnancies. Also, closer examination and better interpretation of postmortem findings is time-consuming but well worth the effort in order to provide better counseling for the grieving parents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Pekkola
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Minna Tikkanen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Mikko Loukovaara
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jouko Lohi
- Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Jorma Paavonen
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Vedran Stefanovic
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland
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Lubinsky M. An epigenetic association of malformations, adverse reproductive outcomes, and fetal origins hypothesis related effects. J Assist Reprod Genet 2018; 35:953-964. [PMID: 29855751 PMCID: PMC6030006 DOI: 10.1007/s10815-018-1197-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 04/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
VACTERL, the prototype for associated congenital anomalies, also has connections with functional issues such as pregnancy losses, prematurity, growth delays, perinatal difficulties, and parental subfertility. This segues into a broader association with similar connections even in the absence of malformations. DNA methylation disturbances in the ovum are a likely cause, with epigenetic links to individual components and to folate effects before conception, explaining diverse fetal and placental findings and providing a link to fetal origin hypothesis-related effects. The association encompasses the following: (1) Pre- and periconceptual effects, with frequent fertility issues and occasional imprinting disorders. (2) Early malformations. (3) Adverse pregnancy outcomes (APOs), as above. (4) Developmental destabilization that resolves soon after birth. This potentiates other causes of association findings, introducing multiple confounders. (5) Long-term fetal origins hypothesis-related risks. The other findings are exceptional when the same malformations have Mendelian origins, supporting a distinct pathogenesis. Expressions are facilitated by one-carbon metabolic issues, maternal and fetal stress, and decreased embryo size. This may be one of the commonest causes of adverse reproductive outcomes, but multifactorial findings, variable onsets and phenotypes, and interactions with multiple confounders make recognition difficult. This association supports VACTERL as a continuum that includes isolated malformations, extends the fetal origins hypothesis, explains adverse effects linked to maternal obesity, and suggests possible interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Lubinsky
- , 6003 W. Washington Blvd., Wauwatosa, WI, 53213, USA.
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Geldenhuys E, Coldrey J, Wright C, Nel D, Roberts DJ, Boyd TK, Odendaal H. Fetal foot length at delivery as a tool for determining gestation length in non-macerated stillbirths. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 2017; 138:107-112. [PMID: 28391625 DOI: 10.1002/ijgo.12177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2016] [Revised: 02/17/2017] [Accepted: 04/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess whether fetal foot length at autopsy could reliably indicate gestation duration at stillbirth and the effects of maceration on this method. METHODS The present cross-sectional secondary analysis was part of the Safe Passage Study; all Safe Passage Study participants who experienced a stillbirth at Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Cape Town, South Africa, between August 1, 2007, and January 31, 2015, were eligible to participate. After providing written informed consent for autopsy, the duration of gestation calculated using early ultrasonography and fetal foot length were compared. RESULTS There were 69 fetal autopsies included in the present study; placental histology was available for 65. Generally, the gestation length calculated from the first ultrasonography scan correlated well with that calculated from the fetal foot length (Spearman correlation=0.85). However, significant differences were found in the gestation lengths calculated when the fetus was macerated (P<0.001), or when umbilical cord pathology (P<0.001) or maternal vascular malperfusion (P<0.001) was the cause of fetal death. CONCLUSION Foot length at stillbirth was a good indicator of gestation length; however, it was a weaker indicator if fetal maceration had occurred.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine Geldenhuys
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Jean Coldrey
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
| | - Colleen Wright
- Division of Anatomical Pathology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa.,Lancet Laboratories, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Daan Nel
- Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Drucilla J Roberts
- Department of Pathology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theonia K Boyd
- Department of Pathology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Hein Odendaal
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Tygerberg, South Africa
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