Escore de Apgar e indicação de cesárea por sofrimento fetal em um hospital público do Distrito Federal / Apgar score and indication of cesarean section due to fetal distress at a public hospital in the Federal District

Objetivo: Avaliar as indicações de cesárea por sofrimento fetal (SF), pelo escore de Apgar, em um hospital público. Métodos: Estudo de corte transversal e retrospectivo que incluiu todos os partos realizados no período de estudo. A análise estatística foi realizada no software IBM SPSS Statistics v.22 com teste do qui-quadrado de Pearson para o cálculo do p-valor. A estimativa de risco foi definida pela razão de chances comum de Mantel-Haenszel, com cálculo de odds ratio (OR), intervalo de confiança de 95% (IC95%) e limite de significância de 95% (p < 0,05). Resultados: Dos 2.205 partos, 1.084 (49,1%) foram cesáreas e 1.121 (50,9%), partos vaginais. Escore de Apgar < 7 no primeiro minuto foi evidenciado em 5,9% do total de partos. A diferença entre os escores de Apgar no primeiro minuto entre os dois tipos de parto foi estatisticamente significante (p < 0,05), e esses recém-nascidos (RNs) tiveram a chance 1,4 vez maior de Apgar < 7 nas cesáreas em relação ao parto vaginal (OR: 1,4; IC95%: 1-2,05). No quinto minuto, Apgar < 7 ocorreu em 0,7% em todos os tipos de partos. O SF foi a terceira causa de indicação de cesárea (22,8%), e o Apgar < 7 não diferenciou das cesáreas por demais causas. Conclusão: Este estudo demonstrou alta taxa de cesárea e maior risco de Apgar < 7 no primeiro minuto para esses partos. A ausência de diferença estatisticamente significante entre o Apgar dos RNs de cesárea por SF e demais indicações revela a necessidade local de rever esse diagnóstico e consequente conduta.(AU)

Objective: To evaluate the cesarean indications for fetal distress (FD), using the Apgar score, in a public hospital. Methods: Cross-sectional and retrospective study, which included all the deliveries performed during the period of study. Statistical Analysis was performed using the IBM SPSS Statistics v.22 software with Pearson's Chi-square test to calculate the p-value. The risk estimate for Apgar < 7 was defined by the common odds ratio (OR) of Mantel-Haenszel, with calculation of OR and 95% confidence interval and significance limit of 95% (p < 0.05). Results: Of the 2,205 deliveries, 1,084 (49.1%) were cesarean and 1,121 (50.9%) were vaginal deliveries. Apgar score < 7 in the 1st minute was seen in 5.9% of total deliveries. The difference between the Apgar Scores in the 1st minute between the two types of delivery was statistically significant (p < 0.05), and these newborns (NBs) had 1.4 times more chance of Apgar < 7 in cesarean in relation to vaginal delivery (OR: 1,4; IC95%: 1-2,05). In the 5th minute, Apgar < 7 occurred in 0.7% of all types of births. FD was the third cause of cesarean indication (22.8%) and the Apgar < 7 wasn't different from the cesareans performed for other causes. Conclusion: This study demonstrated a high cesarean rate and a bigger risk of Apgar < 7 in the 1st minute for this type of delivery. The absence of statistically significant difference between the Apgar of NBs of cesarean due to FD and other indications reveal the need to review this diagnosis e it's conduct.(AU)

Obstetrical outcomes and maternal morbidities associated with COVID-19 in pregnant women in France: A national retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: To the best of our knowledge, no study has exhaustively evaluated the association between maternal morbidities and Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) during the first wave of the pandemic in pregnant women. We investigated, in natural conceptions and assisted reproductive technique (ART) pregnancies, whether maternal morbidities were more frequent in pregnant women with COVID-19 diagnosis compared to pregnant women without COVID-19 diagnosis during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS AND FINDINGS: We conducted a retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data in a national cohort of all hospitalizations for births ≥22 weeks of gestation in France from January to June 2020 using the French national hospitalization database (PMSI). Pregnant women with COVID-19 were identified if they had been recorded in the database using the ICD-10 (International Classification of Disease) code for presence of a hospitalization for COVID-19. A total of 244,645 births were included, of which 874 (0.36%) in the COVID-19 group. Maternal morbidities and adverse obstetrical outcomes among those with or without COVID-19 were analyzed with a multivariable logistic regression model adjusted on patient characteristics. Among pregnant women, older age (31.1 (±5.9) years old versus 30.5 (±5.4) years old, respectively, p < 0.001), obesity (0.7% versus 0.3%, respectively, p < 0.001), multiple pregnancy (0.7% versus 0.4%, respectively, p < 0.001), and history of hypertension (0.9% versus 0.3%, respectively, p < 0.001) were more frequent with COVID-19 diagnosis. Active smoking (0.2% versus 0.4%, respectively, p < 0.001) and primiparity (0.3% versus 0.4%, respectively, p < 0.03) were less frequent with COVID-19 diagnosis. Frequency of ART conception was not different between those with and without COVID-19 diagnosis (p = 0.28). When compared to the non-COVID-19 group, women in the COVID-19 group had a higher frequency of admission to ICU (5.9% versus 0.1%, p < 0.001), mortality (0.2% versus 0.005%, p < 0.001), preeclampsia/eclampsia (4.8% versus 2.2%, p < 0.001), gestational hypertension (2.3% versus 1.3%, p < 0.03), postpartum hemorrhage (10.0% versus 5.7%, p < 0.001), preterm birth at <37 weeks of gestation (16.7% versus 7.1%, p < 0.001), <32 weeks of gestation (2.2% versus 0.8%, p < 0.001), <28 weeks of gestation (2.4% versus 0.8%, p < 0.001), induced preterm birth (5.4% versus 1.4%, p < 0.001), spontaneous preterm birth (11.3% versus 5.7%, p < 0.001), fetal distress (33.0% versus 26.0%, p < 0.001), and cesarean section (33.0% versus 20.2%, p < 0.001). Rates of pregnancy terminations ≥22 weeks of gestation, stillbirths, gestational diabetes, placenta praevia, and placenta abruption were not significantly different between the COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 groups. The number of venous thromboembolic events was too low to perform statistical analysis. A limitation of this study relies in the possibility that asymptomatic infected women were not systematically detected. CONCLUSIONS: We observed an increased frequency of pregnant women with maternal morbidities and diagnosis of COVID-19 compared to pregnant women without COVID-19. It appears essential to be aware of this, notably in populations at known risk of developing a more severe form of infection or obstetrical morbidities and in order for obstetrical units to better inform pregnant women and provide the best care. Although causality cannot be determined from these associations, these results may be in line with recent recommendations in favor of vaccination for pregnant women.

Pharmacological interventions for treating intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

BACKGROUND: Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver disorder that can develop in pregnancy. It occurs when there is a build-up of bile acids in the maternal blood. It has been linked to adverse maternal and fetal/neonatal outcomes. As the pathophysiology is poorly understood, therapies have been largely empiric. As ICP is an uncommon condition (incidence less than 2% a year), many trials have been small. Synthesis, including recent larger trials, will provide more evidence to guide clinical practice. This review is an update of a review first published in 2001 and last updated in 2013. OBJECTIVES: To assess the effects of pharmacological interventions to treat women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy, on maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes. SEARCH METHODS: For this update, we searched Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth's Trials Register, ClinicalTrials.gov, the WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP) (13 December 2019), and reference lists of retrieved studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: Randomised or quasi-randomised controlled trials, including cluster-randomised trials and trials published in abstract form only, that compared any drug with placebo or no treatment, or two drug intervention strategies, for women with a clinical diagnosis of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: The review authors independently assessed trials for eligibility and risks of bias. We independently extracted data and checked these for accuracy. We assessed the certainty of the evidence using the GRADE approach. MAIN RESULTS: We included 26 trials involving 2007 women. They were mostly at unclear to high risk of bias. They assessed nine different pharmacological interventions, resulting in 14 different comparisons. We judged two placebo-controlled trials of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) in 715 women to be at low risk of bias. The ten different pharmacological interventions were: agents believed to detoxify bile acids (UCDA) and S-adenosylmethionine (SAMe); agents used to bind bile acids in the intestine (activated charcoal, guar gum, cholestyramine); Chinese herbal medicines (yinchenghao decoction (YCHD), salvia, Yiganling and Danxioling pill (DXLP)), and agents aimed to reduce bile acid production (dexamethasone) Compared with placebo, UDCA probably results in a small improvement in pruritus score measured on a 100 mm visual analogue scale (VAS) (mean difference (MD) -7.64 points, 95% confidence interval (CI) -9.69 to -5.60 points; 2 trials, 715 women; GRADE moderate certainty), where a score of zero indicates no itch and a score of 100 indicates severe itching. The evidence for fetal distress and stillbirth were uncertain, due to serious limitations in study design and imprecision (risk ratio (RR) 0.70, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.40; 6 trials, 944 women; RR 0.33, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.37; 6 trials, 955 women; GRADE very low certainty). We found very few differences for the other comparisons included in this review. There is insufficient evidence to indicate if SAMe, guar gum, activated charcoal, dexamethasone, cholestyramine, Salvia, Yinchenghao decoction, Danxioling and Yiganling, or Yiganling alone or in combination are effective in treating women with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy. AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: When compared with placebo, UDCA administered to women with ICP probably shows a reduction in pruritus. However the size of the effect is small and for most pregnant women and clinicians, the reduction may fall below the minimum clinically worthwhile effect. The evidence was unclear for other adverse fetal outcomes, due to very low-certainty evidence. There is insufficient evidence to indicate that SAMe, guar gum, activated charcoal, dexamethasone, cholestyramine, YCHD, DXLP, Salvia, Yiganling alone or in combination are effective in treating women with cholestasis of pregnancy. There are no trials of the efficacy of topical emollients. Further high-quality trials of other interventions are needed in order to identify effective treatments for maternal itching and preventing adverse perinatal outcomes. It would also be helpful to identify those women who are mostly likely to respond to UDCA (for example, whether bile acid concentrations affect how women with ICP respond to treatment with UDCA).

Differences in rate and medical indication of caesarean section between Germany and Japan.

BACKGROUND: There are growing concerns about the increasing rate of caesarean section (CS) worldwide. Various strategies have been implemented to reduce the proportion of CS to a reasonable level. Most research on medical indications for CS focuses on nationwide evaluations. Comparative research between different countries is sparse. The aim of this study was to evaluate differences in the rate and indications for CS between Japan and Germany in 2012 and 2013. METHODS: Comparison of the overall rate and medical indications for CS in two cohort studies from Germany and Japan. We used data from the German Perinatal Survey and the Japan Environment and Children's Study (JECS). RESULTS: We analyzed data of 1 335 150 participants from the German perinatal survey and of 62 533 participants from JECS and found significant differences between the two countries in CS rate (30.6% vs 20.6%) and main medical indications: cephalopelvic disproportion (3.2% vs 1.3%; OR: 2.4 [95% CI: 2.2-2.6]), fetal distress (7.3% vs 2.3%; OR: 3.4 [95%-CI: 3.2-3.6]), and past uterine surgery/repeat CS (8.4% vs 8.8%; OR: 0.9 [95%-CI: 0.9-1]). CONCLUSION: There are differences in the rate and medical indications for CS between Germany and Japan at the population level. Fetal distress was identified as a medical indication for CS more often Germany than in Japan. Considering the substantial diagnostic uncertainty of electronic fetal monitoring (EFM) as the major indicator for fetal distress, it would seem to be reasonable to rethink CS decision algorithms.

Prediction of adverse perinatal outcome by serum placental growth factor and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 in women undergoing induction of labor.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the additive value of serum placental growth factor (PlGF) and soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1), measured within 24 h prior to induction of labor, to the performance of screening for adverse perinatal outcome provided by maternal risk factors and the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR). METHODS: This was a prospective observational study of 795 singleton pregnancies undergoing induction of labor at ≥ 37 weeks' gestation. Before induction of labor, Doppler ultrasound was used to measure the pulsatility index (PI) in the umbilical artery (UA) and fetal middle cerebral artery (MCA) and maternal blood was obtained for measurement of serum PlGF and sFlt-1. The measured UA-PI, MCA-PI and their ratio (CPR) were converted to multiples of the median (MoM) after adjustment for gestational age, and the measured PlGF and sFlt-1 were converted to MoM after adjustment for gestational age, maternal characteristics and the machine used for the assays. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to determine factors that provided a significant contribution in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome, defined as the presence of any one of Cesarean section for non-reassuring fetal status in labor, umbilical arterial or venous cord blood pH ≤ 7 and ≤ 7.1, respectively, 5-min Apgar score < 7 or admission to the neonatal intensive care unit for ≥ 24 h. The detection rate (DR) and false-positive rate (FPR) in screening for adverse perinatal outcome were determined. RESULTS: In pregnancies with adverse perinatal outcome, compared to those without, median serum PlGF MoM was lower (0.44; interquartile range (IQR), 0.30-0.82 vs 0.60; IQR, 0.36-1.07; P = 0.003), but median sFlt-1 MoM was not significantly different (P = 0.080). Multivariable regression analysis demonstrated that, in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome, there was significant contribution from maternal risk factors and CPR MoM but not PlGF MoM or sFlt-1 MoM. The performance of screening for adverse perinatal outcome achieved by maternal risk factors alone (DR of 28.9% at FPR of 10%) was not improved by the addition of CPR (DR of 33.8% at FPR of 10%) (area under the curve, 0.702; 95% CI, 0.654-0.750 vs 0.712; 95% CI, 0.664-0.760; P = 0.233). CONCLUSION: Serum PlGF and sFlt-1, measured within 24 h prior to induction of labor, do not provide a significant additional contribution to maternal risk factors in the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

The implications of high carbon monoxide levels in early pregnancy for neonatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to examine the implications of increased maternal Breath Carbon Monoxide (BCO) levels at the first antenatal visit for subsequent birthweight (BW) and neonatal outcomes. STUDY DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a prospective, observational study. Pregnant women aged ≥18years who understood English were recruited (n=250). However, only women who delivered a normally formed baby weighing ≥500g were analysed (n=234). At the first antenatal visit, a research questionnaire was completed and a BCO test was performed. Obstetric and neonatal data computerised by midwives at the first antenatal visit and updated after delivery were also analysed. RESULTS: Results from the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve indicated the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for smoking was observed at a BCO cut-off level of 3ppm (sensitivity 85%, specificity 90%). Of the 234 women, 53 (22.6%) had a BCO ≥3ppm but only 36 (15.4%) disclosed smoking to the midwife on routine questioning. A further 23 (9.8%) were classified as non-disclosers based on a research questionnaire and/or a BCO measurement ≥3ppm. No relationship was found between the self-reported number of cigarettes daily in early pregnancy and BW (r=0.05, p=0.78). However, an inverse relationship was found between maternal BCO levels and BW (r=-0.31, p<0.001). BCO levels ≥3ppm in early pregnancy were associated with an increased risk of emergency caesarean section, low birth weight, BW <25th centile, fetal distress and having two or more adverse pregnancy events (all p<0.05). Smoking non-disclosers had babies with decreased BWs (-400.1g, 95% CI 141.1-659.0g, p<0.001), and higher rates of BW <25th centile (56.5% versus 25.3%, p<0.001), small-for-gestational-age (21.7% versus 9.1%, p<0.001) and fetal distress (39.1% versus 16.0%, p<0.01) compared to non-smokers Non-disclosers at the first antenatal visit also had a 22% higher rate of having two or more adverse pregnancy events (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: The results showed that an increased BCO level was associated with a lower BW and increased risk of adverse pregnancy and neonatal outcomes. This strengthens the case for universal BCO screening at the first antenatal visit. A high BCO reading should be an indication for referral to stop smoking services referral and close fetal surveillance.

Blunt traumatic injury during pregnancy: a descriptive analysis from a level 1 trauma center.

PURPOSE: The precise incidence of trauma in pregnancy is not well-known, but trauma is estimated to complicate nearly 1 in 12 pregnancies and it is the leading non-obstetrical cause of maternal death. METHODS: A retrospective study of all pregnant women presented to national level 1 trauma center from July 2013 to June 2015 was conducted. Descriptive and inferential statistics applied for data analysis. RESULTS: Across the study period, a total of 95 pregnant women were presented to the trauma center. The average incidence rate of traumatic injuries was 250 per 1000 women of childbearing age presented to the Hamad Trauma Center. The mean age of patients was 30.4 ± SD 5.6 years, with age ranging from 20 to 42 years. The mean gestational age at the time of injury was 24.7 ± 8.7 weeks which ranged from 5 to 37 weeks. The majority (47.7%) was in the third trimester of the pregnancy. In addition, the large majority of injuries was due to MVCs (74.7%) followed by falls (15.8%). CONCLUSIONS: Trauma during pregnancy is not an uncommon event particularly in the traffic-related crashes. As it is a complex condition for trauma surgeons and obstetrician, an appropriate management protocol and multidisciplinary team are needed to improve the outcome and save lives of both the mother and fetus.

Peripartum fetal distress in diabetic women: a retrospective case-cohort study.

BACKGROUND: Major concerns of pregnancies complicated by diabetes mellitus are an increased risk of adverse perinatal outcome. The objective of this study was to analyse the rate of fetal distress during labor in women with type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes compared to control women. METHODS: A retrospective case-cohort study was conducted at the VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam; a tertiary care hospital. 117 women with type 1 diabetes, 59 women with type 2 diabetes, 303 women with gestational diabetes and 15,260 control women were included, who delivered between March 2004 and February 2014. Linear and logistic regression analyses were used to compare maternal and pregnancy characteristics. Risk of fetal distress and perinatal asphyxia was assessed by multiple regression analyses, adjusted for confounding factors as age, smoking, parity, previous cesarean section, hypertensive disorder, pre-eclampsia, prematurity, induction of labor and macrosomia. Main outcome measure was fetal distress, defined either as clinical indication for instrumental or cesarean delivery; or low umbilical artery pH (UA pH), or admission to neonatal unit (NU). RESULTS: The indication for instrumental or cesarean delivery in women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus was more frequently based on fetal distress as compared to controls (adjusted OR 2.76 CI 1.74-4.40 and adjusted OR 2.31 CI 1.19-4.51, respectively). In comparison with the control group, infants of women with type 1 diabetes had an increased risk of UA pH < 7.20 (adjusted OR 1.88 CI 1.23-2.87) or UA pH < 7.10 (adjusted OR 3.35 CI 1.79-6.27). Also, infants of women with type 1 diabetes were at increased risk for admission to NU as compared to infants of control women (OR 8.07 CI 4.75-13.70). CONCLUSIONS: Women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of fetal distress during labor as compared to controls.

Adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes complicated by psychosis among pregnant women in the United States.

BACKGROUND: Adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes among women with psychosis, particularly affective psychosis, has rarely been studied at the population level. We aimed to assess the risk of adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes among women with psychosis (schizophrenia, affective psychosis, and other psychoses). METHODS: From the 2007 - 2012 National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample, 23,507,597 delivery hospitalizations were identified. From the same hospitalization, International Classification of Diseases diagnosis codes were used to identify maternal psychosis and outcomes. Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were obtained using logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of psychosis at delivery was 698.76 per 100,000 hospitalizations. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics, smoking, alcohol/substance abuse, and pregnancy-related hypertension, women with psychosis were at a heightened risk for cesarean delivery (aOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.23 - 1.29), induced labor (aOR = 1.05; 95% CI: 1.02 - 1.09), antepartum hemorrhage (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.14 - 1.31), placental abruption (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.13 - 1.32), postpartum hemorrhage (aOR = 1.18; 95% CI: 1.10 - 1.27), premature delivery (aOR = 1.40; 95% CI: 1.36 - 1.46), stillbirth (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI: 1.23 - 1.53), premature rupture of membranes (aOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.15 - 1.29), fetal abnormalities (aOR = 1.49; 95% CI: 1.38 - 1.61), poor fetal growth (aOR = 1.26; 95% CI: 1.19 - 1.34), and fetal distress (aOR = 1.14; 95% CI: 1.10 - 1.18). Maternal death during hospitalizations (aOR = 1.00; 95% CI: 0.30 - 3.31) and excessive fetal growth (aOR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.98 - 1.14) were not statistically significantly associated with psychosis. CONCLUSIONS: Pregnant women with psychosis have elevated risk of several adverse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. Efforts to identify and manage pregnancies complicated by psychosis may contribute to improved outcomes.

Short-term costs of preeclampsia to the United States health care system.

BACKGROUND: Preeclampsia is a leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality and adverse neonatal outcomes. Little is known about the extent of the health and cost burden of preeclampsia in the United States. OBJECTIVE: This study sought to quantify the annual epidemiological and health care cost burden of preeclampsia to both mothers and infants in the United States in 2012. STUDY DESIGN: We used epidemiological and econometric methods to assess the annual cost of preeclampsia in the United States using a combination of population-based and administrative data sets: the National Center for Health Statistics Vital Statistics on Births, the California Perinatal Quality Care Collaborative Databases, the US Health Care Cost and Utilization Project database, and a commercial claims data set. RESULTS: Preeclampsia increased the probability of an adverse event from 4.6% to 10.1% for mothers and from 7.8% to 15.4% for infants while lowering gestational age by 1.7 weeks (P < .001). Overall, the total cost burden of preeclampsia during the first 12 months after birth was $1.03 billion for mothers and $1.15 billion for infants. The cost burden per infant is dependent on gestational age, ranging from $150,000 at 26 weeks gestational age to $1311 at 36 weeks gestational age. CONCLUSION: In 2012, the cost of preeclampsia within the first 12 months of delivery was $2.18 billion in the United States ($1.03 billion for mothers and $1.15 billion for infants), and was disproportionately borne by births of low gestational age.

Indications and appropriateness of caesarean sections performed in a tertiary referral centre in Uganda: a retrospective descriptive study.

INTRODUCTION: The WHO has identified an ideal caesarean section rate for a nation of 10-15%, but much higher rates are seen in tertiary referral centres in resource-poor countries. Interventions by the author to improve care and reduced unnecessary caesareans were undertaken including staff education and production of clinical guidelines. This study aimed to identify indications for caesareans and whether the decision to perform caesareans was appropriate in order to improve care, and whether the above interventions had an impact on this process. METHODS: Two groups of 100 consecutive cases from October 2014 and 100 from February 2015 were retrospectively selected that resulted in caesarean. These case notes were analysed for demographic data, caesarean indication and appropriateness. RESULTS: In 46% of cases the decision for caesarean was considered appropriate. No significant difference (p>0.05) was found between the two groups in terms of patient demographics or appropriateness of caesarean (43% in Oct-14 compared to 48% in Feb-15). The most common group of indications for caesarean was dystocia (43.5%) with 28% appropriate; followed by fetal distress (18.5%) with 30% appropriate; previous scar (17%) with 85% appropriate; malpresentation (10.5%) with 48% appropriate; and maternal compromise (10%) with 80% appropriate. CONCLUSION: The high number of unnecessary caesareans appeared to be related to lack of knowledge and inexperience of staff. Despite attempts to address this through teaching the scope of the problem is so large it needs a fundamental change in the healthcare system in terms of resources, education, continuing professional development and clinical governance.

Decision-to-delivery intervals and total duration of surgery for Caesarean sections in a tertiary general hospital.

INTRODUCTION: This study aimed to determine the decision-to-delivery intervals (DDIs), total duration of surgery and factors influencing these for Caesarean sections (CSs). METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted of all CSs performed from August 2013 to June 2014 at a single tertiary general hospital. Data collected included maternal demographics, indications for CS, category of urgency, DDI, total duration of surgery, grade of first surgeon and number of previous CSs. RESULTS: In total, 488 CSs (Category 1: n = 28; Category 2: n = 137; Category 3: n = 184; Category 4: n = 139) were studied. Overall mean duration of surgery was 41.7 minutes. Mean DDI was 23.9 minutes and 64.5 minutes for Category 1 and Category 2 CSs, respectively. For Category 1 CSs, deliveries during office hours had a significantly shorter DDI than deliveries out of office hours (p < 0.05). For Category 2 CSs, deliveries during office hours had a significantly longer DDI (p < 0.05). Total duration of surgery for senior surgeons was significantly shorter than for trainee surgeons (p < 0.05). Women with no previous CSs had a significantly shorter duration of surgery than those who had one or more (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The majority of the deliveries were within the recommended DDI corresponding to the degree of urgency of CS. The influence of time of day on DDI might be due to challenges of time taken to transfer patients to operating theatres. Total duration of surgery was influenced by surgical experience, history of previous CS and individual surgical styles and preferences.

Surgical Site Infection following Cesarean Delivery: Patient, Provider, and Procedure-Specific Risk Factors.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to identify risk factors for cesarean delivery (CD) surgical site infection (SSI). study design: Retrospective analysis of 2,739 CDs performed at the University of Pittsburgh in 2011. CD SSIs were defined using National Healthcare Safety Network (NHSN) criteria. Chi-square test and t-test were used for bivariate analyses and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify SSI risk factors. RESULTS: Of 2,739 CDs, 178 (6.5%) were complicated by SSI. Patients with a SSI were more likely to have Medicaid, have resident physicians perform the CD, an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class of ≥ 3, chorioamnionitis, tobacco use, and labor before CD. In multivariable analysis, labor (odds ratio [OR], 2.35; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.65-3.38), chorioamnionitis (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.25-3.83), resident teaching service (OR, 2.15; 95% CI, 1.54-3.00), tobacco use (OR, 1.70; 95% CI, 1.04-2.70), ASA class ≥ 3 (OR, 1.61; 95% CI, 1.06-2.39), and CDs performed for nonreassuring fetal status (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.26-0.67) were significantly associated with CD SSI. CONCLUSION: Multiple patient, provider, and procedure-specific risk factors contribute to CD SSI risk which may be targeted in infection-control efforts.

[Cesarean delivery rate and indications in mainland China: a cross sectional study in 2011].

OBJECTIVE: To estimate cesarean delivery rates and indications by region in mainland China. METHODS: A cross sectional survey of all deliveries in 39 hospitals in 14 provinces of mainland China from January 1 to December 31, 2011 was evaluated for mode of delivery, cesarean delivery rates and indications for delivery. RESULTS: (1) A survey of a total of 112 138 women at delivery with gestations greater than 24 weeks was analyzed. 79 631 and 32 507 deliveries were obtained from the tertiary and secondary hospitals respectively. 90 971 were primipara, 21 167 were multipara. Of these pregnancies, 61 084, 49 734 and 1 320 cases resulted in cesarean delivery, vaginal delivery and operative vaginal delivery respectively, the cesarean delivery rate was 54.472% (61 084/112 138). Among 61 084 women who had cesarean delivery, 14 998 cases of the cesarean deliveries were performed without medical indications, 46 086 cases of the cesarean deliveries had medical indications. The cesarean delivery rate of the tertiary hospitals was 55.927% (44 535/79 631), and was significant higher than that in the secondary hospitals (50.909%, 16 549/32 507; P < 0.01). (2) Overall 24.553 % (14 998/61 084) of cesarean deliveries were performed without medical indications. 19.744% (8 793/44 535) of the cesarean deliveries without medical indications were performed in the tertiary hospitals, and was significant lower than in the secondary hospitals (37.495%, 6 205/16 549;P < 0.01). (3) Maternal request was the most common indication (24.553% of all cesarean deliveries), followed by fetal distress (12.507% , 7 640/61 084), cephalopelvic disproportion (11.787%, 7 200/61 084), previous uterine surgery (10.374%, 6 337/61 084), malpresentation (5.815%, 3 552/61 084), failure to progress (5.710%, 3 488/61 084) and suspected macrosomia (5.594%, 3 417/61 084). CONCLUSIONS: The increasing caesarean section rate in mainland China is explained mainly by the high non-indicated caesarean section rate. The main medical indications of the cesarean deliveries included fetal distress, cephalopelvic disproportion, previous uterine surgery, malpresentation and failure to progress.

Are 1st-trimester ß-human chorionic gonadotrophin and pregnancy-associated plasma protein A levels predictive of intrapartum fetal compromise in a selected normal population?

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cerebral palsy in term infants has not changed over the last 30 years. Current intrapartum monitoring techniques are limited by their inherent poor specificity. Changes in fetal haemodynamics in the term fetus, similar to those seen in fetal growth restriction, have been associated with an increased risk of subsequent intrapartum fetal compromise. Alterations in first-trimester ß-hCG and PAPP-A levels are predictive of fetal growth restriction. AIMS: In this study, we aimed to establish whether first-trimester ß-hCG and PAPP-A levels were predictive of fetal compromise in labour and whether these first-trimester markers could be correlated with fetal haemodynamics at term in a low-risk population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Over a two-year period, 427 women with low risk, uncomplicated pregnancies were recruited to this study. All participants underwent a prelabour ultrasound examination during which fetal biometry and haemodynamics were assessed. First-trimester ß-hCG and PAPP-A levels were recorded from the case notes. All cases were followed up within 48 hours of delivery, and first-trimester ß-hCG and PAPP-A levels correlated with intrapartum outcomes and fetal haemodynamics. RESULTS: No significant relationship between first-trimester ß-hCG and PAPP-A levels and subsequent intrapartum fetal compromise was observed. Weak but significant correlations were observed between ß-hCG levels and umbilical venous flow rate, as well as PAPP-A levels and uterine artery pulsatility index. CONCLUSIONS: ß-hCG and PAPP-A levels measured during the first trimester are not predictive of subsequent intrapartum fetal compromise within a low-risk population.

The effect of cigarette smoking during pregnancy on mode of delivery in uncomplicated term singleton pregnancies.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the influence of cigarette smoking during pregnancy on mode of delivery. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 6105 uncomplicated term singleton pregnancies for mode of delivery was performed with respect to smoking status. RESULTS: Of all, 680 (84.0%) smokers and 4588 (86.7%) non-smokers had a spontaneous vaginal delivery, 65 (8.0%) smokers and 393 (7.4%) non-smokers had an instrumental delivery and 65 (8.0%) smokers and 314 (5.9%) non-smokers had a cesarean delivery (p = 0.051). Smoking during pregnancy increased the risk of any operative or instrumental intervention by OR 1.240, 95% CI 1.012-1.523. Non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern that warranted either cesarean or instrumental intervention was present in 99 (12.2%) out of 810 smokers and in 392 out of 5295 (7.4%) non-smokers, p < 0.001). Smoking during pregnancy increased the risk of non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern that warranted either cesarean or instrumental intervention by OR 1.650 (95% CI 1.341-2.022). CONCLUSION: Women with uncomplicated term singleton pregnancies who smoke during pregnancy are at an increased risk of fetal compromise during labor (as judged by non-reassuring fetal heart rate pattern), leading to increased rates of operative delivery (cesarean either instrumental).

Deliveries among teenage women - with emphasis on incidence and mode of delivery: a Swedish national survey from 1973 to 2010.

BACKGROUND: Since the 1970-ies Sweden has actively developed strategies in social care, education and health care in order to counteract the negative consequences of adolescent parenthood. The aims of this study are to determine the annual incidence of singleton delivery among adolescents 1973-2010 and analyse obstetric and neonatal outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study, using data from the Swedish Medical Birth Register was conducted. All singleton deliveries in Sweden between 1973 and 2010 were included. Totally 1,941,940 women had 3,761,576 deliveries during the period. Analyses of obstetric and neonatal outcome were restricted to 1992-2010. Adolescents were subdivided into three groups: <16 years (n = 472), 16-17 years (n = 5376), 18-19 years (n = 23560). The reference group consisted of women age 20-30 years (n = 893505). Data were analysed using multivariate logistic regression models adjusted for confounding factors and presented as crude and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence interval. RESULTS: The annual incidence of teenage births decreased significantly from 7.7 to 1.6%. Teenagers were more likely to deliver normally vaginally (aOR 1.70 (95%CI 1.64-1.75), less likely to have Caesarean section (aOR 0.61 (95%CI 0.58-0.64), and had a greater risk of delivering prematurely (< 28 weeks)(aOR 1.61 (95%CI 1.31-2.00), but did not have more small-for-gestational-age babies (aOR 1.07 (95%CI 0.99-1.14). Risks of placenta previa, postpartum haemorrhage > 1000 ml and perineal rupture were significantly lower among teenagers. Although the rate with Apgar score <7 at 5 minutes was similar the teenager's neonates showed less fetal distress and meconium aspiration. CONCLUSION: Adolescent births have steadily decreased in Sweden. Adolescents were more likely to be delivered vaginally than the adult women. The risks for obstetric maternal complications for adolescents were lower than for adult women except for the risk of prematurity.

Smoking and respiratory conditions in pregnancy: associations with adverse pregnancy outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: Acute and chronic respiratory conditions affect a large segment of pregnant women. The purpose of the current study was to examine the concomitant effects of respiratory conditions and smoking during pregnancy on gestational age, birth weight, fetal distress, infant mortality, premature rupture of membranes, placenta abruption, and mode of delivery. METHODS: This study used data (n = 1,064,969) from the North Carolina linked birth/infant death files from 1999 to 2007. Logistic regression was used to compute odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) in assessing risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. RESULTS: We found that women with respiratory conditions/smoking status were significantly more likely than nonsmokers with no respiratory conditions to have a low-birth-weight infant, an infant with fetal distress, and experience preterm birth and an infant's death. Adjusted odds ratios also revealed that smokers with respiratory conditions were 2.37 (95% CI 1.69-3.32) times more likely than women with no respiratory conditions/nonsmoking status to have placenta abruption and 2.20 (95% CI 1.85-2.61) times more likely to have premature rupture of membranes. Regardless of smoking status, women with respiratory conditions were less likely to have a vaginal delivery. CONCLUSIONS: These findings underscore the need for clinical and public health programs to educate women, particularly those with respiratory diseases, of the immense array of adverse outcomes that may occur as a consequence of active maternal smoking during gestation. It is important for interventions to target mothers with respiratory conditions early on to ensure favorable birth outcomes.