Prevalence and associated factors of maternal birth trauma following vaginal delivery at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, North-West Ethiopia, 2022.

BACKGROUND: Maternal injury with any form of perineal trauma following vaginal delivery is very common which ranges globally from 16.2 to 90.4%. The frequency of Obstetric anal sphincter Injuries and the incidence of cervical laceration increases rapidly. However, in Ethiopia, there is limited evidence on the prevalence of maternal birth trauma and its determinant factors after vaginal delivery. OBJECTIVE: To assess the magnitude and associated factors of Maternal Birth Trauma after vaginal delivery at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Gondar, North-West Ethiopia, 2022. METHODS: An Institution based cross-sectional study was conducted among mothers with singleton vaginal delivery at University of Gondar Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from 9th May to 9th August 2022 among 424 study participants. Pre-tested semi-structured questioner was utilized. Epi-Data version 4.6 was used for data entry and exported to SPSS version 25 for data management and analysis. To identify the determinant factors, binary logistic regression model was fitted and variables with p-value < 0.2 were considered for the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. In the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, Variables with P-value < 0.05 were considered to have statistical significant association with the outcome variable. The Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with 95% CI was reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of association between Maternal Birth Trauma and independent variables. RESULTS: A total of 424 mothers who delivered vaginally were included. The mean age of participants was 26.83 years (± 5.220 years). The proportion of birth trauma among mothers after vaginal delivery was47.4% (95%CI: 43.1, 51.7). Of different forms of perineal trauma, First degree tear in 42.8%, OASIs in 1.5% and Cervical laceration in 2.5% study participants. In the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis being primiparous (AOR = 3.00; 95%CI: 1.68, 5.38), Gestational age ≥ 39 weeks at delivery (AOR = 2.96; 95%CI: 1.57, 5.57), heavier birth weight (AOR = 12.3; 95%CI: 7.21, 40.1), bigger head circumference (AOR = 5.45; 95%CI: 2.62, 11.31), operative vaginal delivery (AOR = 6.59; 95%CI: 1.44, 30.03) and delivery without perineum and/or fetal head support (AOR = 6.30; 95%CI: 2.21, 17.94) were significantly associated with the presence of maternal birth trauma. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION: Maternal birth trauma following vaginal delivery was relatively high in this study. Prim parity, gestational age beyond 39 weeks at delivery, heavier birth weight, bigger head circumference, operative vaginal delivery and delivery without perineum and/or fetal head supported were factors affecting perineal outcome. The Ministry of Health of Ethiopia should provide regular interventional training as to reduce maternal birth trauma.

Neonatal complications and risk factors associated with assisted vaginal delivery.

To investigate neonatal injuries, morbidities and risk factors related to vaginal deliveries. This retrospective, descriptive study identified 3500 patients who underwent vaginal delivery between 2020 and 2022. Demographic data, neonatal injuries, complications arising from vaginal delivery and pertinent risk factors were documented. Neonatal injuries and morbidities were prevalent in cases of assisted vacuum delivery, gestational diabetes mellitus class A2 (GDMA2) and pre-eclampsia with severe features. Caput succedaneum and petechiae were observed in 291/3500 cases (8.31%) and 108/3500 cases (3.09%), respectively. Caput succedaneum was associated with multiparity (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 0.36, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.22-0.57, P < 0.001) and assisted vacuum delivery (AOR 5.18, 95% CI 2.60-10.3, P < 0.001). Cephalohaematoma was linked to GDMA2 (AOR 11.3, 95% CI 2.96-43.2, P < 0.001) and assisted vacuum delivery (AOR 16.5, 95% CI 6.71-40.5, P < 0.001). Scalp lacerations correlated with assisted vacuum and forceps deliveries (AOR 6.94, 95% CI 1.85-26.1, P < 0.004; and AOR 10.5, 95% CI 1.08-102.2, P < 0.042, respectively). Neonatal morbidities were associated with preterm delivery (AOR 3.49, 95% CI 1.39-8.72, P = 0.008), night-time delivery (AOR 1.32, 95% CI 1.07-1.63, P = 0.009) and low birth weight (AOR 7.52, 95% CI 3.79-14.9, P < 0.001). Neonatal injuries and morbidities were common in assisted vacuum delivery, maternal GDMA2, pre-eclampsia with severe features, preterm delivery and low birth weight. Cephalohaematoma and scalp lacerations were prevalent in assisted vaginal deliveries. Most morbidities occurred at night.Clinical trial registration: Thai Clinical Trials Registry 20220126004.

Precision of vacuum cup placement and its association with subgaleal hemorrhage and associated morbidity in term neonates.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether the precision of vacuum cup placement is associated with failed vacuum extraction(VE), neonatal subgaleal hemorrhage(SGH) and other VE-related birth trauma. METHODS: All women with singleton term cephalic fetuses with attempted VE were recruited over a period of 30 months. Neonates were examined immediately after birth and the position of the chignon documented to decide whether the cup position was flexing median or suboptimal. Vigilant neonatal surveillance was performed to look for VE-related trauma, including subgaleal/subdural hemorrhages, skull fractures, scalp lacerations. CT scans of the brain were ordered liberally as clinically indicated. RESULTS: The VE rate was 5.89% in the study period. There were 17(4.9%) failures among 345 attempted VEs. Thirty babies suffered from subgaleal/subdural hemorrhages, skull fractures, scalp lacerations or a combination of these, giving an incidence of VE-related birth trauma of 8.7%. Suboptimal cup positions occurred in 31.6%. Logistic regression analysis showed that failed VE was associated with a non-occipital anterior fetal head position (OR 3.5, 95% CI 1.22-10.2), suboptimal vacuum cup placement (OR 4.13, 95% CI 1.38-12.2) and a longer duration of traction (OR 8.79, 95% CI 2.13-36.2); while, VE-related birth trauma was associated with failed VE (OR 3.93, 95% CI 1.08-14.3) and more pulls (OR 4.07, 95% CI 1.98-8.36). CONCLUSION: Suboptimal vacuum cup positions were related to failed VE but not to SGH and other vacuum-related birth trauma. While optimal flexed median cup positions should be most desirable mechanically to effect delivery, such a position does not guarantee prevention of SGH.

Maternal complications and risk factors associated with assisted vaginal delivery.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to elucidate the maternal complications and risk factors linked with assisted vaginal delivery. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive analysis of hospital records, identifying 3500 cases of vaginal delivery between 2020 and 2022. Data encompassing demographics, complications from the vaginal delivery including post-partum haemorrhage, birth passage injuries, puerperal infection and other pertinent details were documented. Various critical factors, including the duration of the second stage of labor, maternal anemia, underlying maternal health conditions such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension, neonatal birth weight, maternal weight, the expertise of the attending surgeon, and the timing of deliveries were considered. RESULTS: The rates for assisted vacuum and forceps delivery were 6.0% (211/3500 cases) and 0.3% (12/3500), respectively. Postpartum haemorrhage emerged as the predominant complication in vaginal deliveries, with a rate of 7.3% (256/3500; P < 0.001). Notably, postpartum haemorrhage had significant associations with gestational diabetes mellitus class A1 (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-2.11; P = 0.045), assisted vaginal delivery (AOR 5.11; 95% CI 1.30-20.1; P = 0.020), prolonged second stage of labour (AOR 2.68; 95% CI 1.09-6.58; P = 0.032), elevated maternal weight (71.4 ± 12.2 kg; AOR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01-1.03; P = 0.003) and neonates being large for their gestational age (AOR 3.02; 95% CI 1.23-7.43; P = 0.016). CONCLUSIONS: The primary complication arising from assisted vaginal delivery was postpartum haemorrhage. Associated factors were a prolonged second stage of labour, foetal distress, large-for-gestational-age neonates and elevated maternal weight. Cervical and labial injuries correlated with neonates being large for their gestational age. Notably, puerperal infections were related to maternal anaemia (haematocrit levels < 33%). CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION: Thai Clinical Trials Registry: 20220126004.

Association of Parity and Previous Birth Outcome With Brachial Plexus Birth Injury Risk.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the association of maternal delivery history with a brachial plexus birth injury risk in subsequent deliveries and to estimate the effect of subsequent delivery method on brachial plexus birth injury risk. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of all live-birth deliveries occurring in California-licensed hospitals from 1996 to 2012. The primary outcome was recurrent brachial plexus birth injury in a subsequent pregnancy. The exposure was delivery history (parity, shoulder dystocia in a previous delivery, or previously delivering a neonate with brachial plexus birth injury). Multiple logistic regression was used to model adjusted associations of delivery history with brachial plexus birth injury in a subsequent pregnancy. The adjusted risk and adjusted risk difference for brachial plexus birth injury between vaginal and cesarean deliveries in subsequent pregnancies were determined, stratified by delivery history, and the number of cesarean deliveries needed to prevent one brachial plexus birth injury was determined. RESULTS: Of 6,286,324 neonates delivered by 4,104,825 individuals, 7,762 (0.12%) were diagnosed with a brachial plexus birth injury. Higher parity was associated with a 5.7% decrease in brachial plexus birth injury risk with each subsequent delivery (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.94, 95% CI 0.92-0.97). Shoulder dystocia or brachial plexus birth injury in a previous delivery was associated with fivefold (0.58% vs 0.11%, aOR 5.39, 95% CI 4.10-7.08) and 17-fold (1.58% vs 0.11%, aOR 17.22, 95% CI 13.31-22.27) increases in brachial plexus birth injury risk, respectively. Among individuals with a history of delivering a neonate with a brachial plexus birth injury, cesarean delivery was associated with a 73.0% decrease in brachial plexus birth injury risk (0.60% vs 2.21%, aOR 0.27, 95% CI 0.13-0.55) compared with an 87.9% decrease in brachial plexus birth injury risk (0.02% vs 0.15%, aOR 0.12, 95% CI 0.10-0.15) in individuals without this history. Among individuals with a history of brachial plexus birth injury, 48.1 cesarean deliveries are needed to prevent one brachial plexus birth injury. CONCLUSIONS: Parity, previous shoulder dystocia, and previously delivering a neonate with brachial plexus birth injury are associated with future brachial plexus birth injury risk. These factors are identifiable prenatally and can inform discussions with pregnant individuals regarding brachial plexus birth injury risk and planned mode of delivery.

Severe neonatal birth injury: Observational study of associations with operative, cesarean, and spontaneous vaginal delivery.

AIM: To determine the association of successful and unsuccessful operative vaginal delivery attempts with risk of severe neonatal birth injury. METHODS: We conducted a population-based observational study of 1 080 503 births between 2006 and 2019 in Quebec, Canada. The main exposure was operative vaginal delivery with forceps or vacuum, elective or emergency cesarean with or without an operative vaginal attempt, and spontaneous delivery. The outcome was severe birth injury, including intracranial hemorrhage, brain and spinal damage, Erb's paralysis and other brachial plexus injuries, epicranial subaponeurotic hemorrhage, skull and long bone fractures, and liver, spleen, and other neonatal body injuries. We determined the association of delivery mode with risk of severe birth injury using adjusted risk ratios (RR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). RESULTS: A total of 8194 infants (0.8%) had severe birth injuries. Compared with spontaneous delivery, vacuum (RR 2.98, 95% CI 2.80-3.16) and forceps (RR 3.35, 95% CI 3.07-3.66) were both associated with risk of severe injury. Forceps was associated with intracranial hemorrhage (RR 16.4, 95% CI 10.1-26.6) and brain and spinal damage (RR 13.5, 95% CI 5.72-32.0), while vacuum was associated with epicranial subaponeurotic hemorrhage (RR 27.5, 95% CI 20.8-36.4) and skull fractures (RR 2.04, 95% CI 1.86-2.25). Emergency cesarean after an unsuccessful operative attempt was associated with intracranial and epicranial subaponeurotic hemorrhage, but elective and other emergency cesareans were not associated with severe injury. CONCLUSIONS: Operative vaginal delivery and unsuccessful operative attempts that result in an emergency cesarean are associated with elevated risks of severe birth injury.

A prospective study on neonatal ophthalmic injuries associated with forceps delivery.

BACKGROUND: Assisted delivery by forceps is needed to expedite vaginal delivery in certain maternal and fetal conditions. The aim of this study was to evaluate the incidence and the extent of ophthalmological injuries in neonates after forceps delivery. METHODS: Women with cephalic fetuses delivered vaginally by forceps from July 2020 to June 2022 were recruited prospectively. Ophthalmologists would be consulted when there were signs of external ophthalmic injuries, such as periorbital forceps marks or facial bruising. Demographic data, pregnancy characteristics, delivery details, and perinatal outcomes were evaluated to identify any associated risk factors for neonatal ophthalmological injuries. RESULTS: A total of 77 forceps deliveries were performed in the study period, in which 20 cases (26%) required ophthalmological consultations. There were more right or left occipital fetal head positions in the group requiring ophthalmological assessment than those that did not require assessment (35% vs 12.3% [P = 0.023]). The degree of moulding of the fetal head was more marked in the former group (65% vs 28% [P = 0.001]). The overall incidence of detectable ophthalmological lesions was 16.9% (13/77). All ophthalmic injuries were mild, and most resolved with conservative management. CONCLUSIONS: In our study cohort, external ophthalmic injuries were common after forceps delivery. We recommended ophthalmological consultation in newborns delivered by forceps with evidence of compressive trauma to rule out serious ophthalmological trauma.

The proposal of the novel fetal shoulder dystocia graduation: a clinical-based opinion.

BACKGROUND: Shoulder dystocia is a peracute mechanical dystocia and a prepartum, usually unpredictable, life-threatening entity with significant forensic implications due to significantly poor perinatal outcome, especially permanent disability or perinatal death. CONTENT: To better objectify the graduation and to include other important clinical parameters, we believe it is appropriate to present a proposal for a complete perinatal weighted graduation of shoulder dystocia, based on several years of numerous other and our own clinical and forensic studies and thematic biobibliography. Obstetric maneuvers, neonatal outcome, and maternal outcome are three components, which are evaluated according to the severity of 0-4 proposed components. Thus, the gradation is ultimately in four degrees according to the total score: I. degreee, score 0-3: slightly shoulder dystocia with simple obstetric interventions, but without birth injuries; II. degree, score 4-7: mild shoulder dystocia resolved by external, secondary interventions and minor injuries; III. degree, score 8-10: severe shoulder dystocia with severe peripartum injuries; IV. degree, score 11-12: extremely difficult, severe shoulder dystocia with ultima ratio interventions applied and resulting extremely severe injuries with chronic disability, including perinatal death. SUMMARY: As a clinically evaluated graduation, it certainly has an applicable long-term anamnestic and prognostic component for subsequent pregnancies and access to subsequent births, as it includes all relevant components of clinical forensic objectification.

A systematic review of brachial plexus injuries after caesarean birth: challenging delivery?

BACKGROUND: Caesarean section (CS) is widely perceived as protective against obstetric brachial plexus injury (BPI), but few studies acknowledge the factors associated with such injury. The objectives of this study were therefore to aggregate cases of BPI after CS, and to illuminate risk factors for BPI. METHODS: Pubmed Central, EMBASE and MEDLINE databases were searched using free text: ("brachial plexus injury" or "brachial plexus injuries" or "brachial plexus palsy" or "brachial plexus palsies" or "Erb's palsy" or "Erb's palsies" or "brachial plexus birth injury" or "brachial plexus birth palsy") and ("caesarean" or "cesarean" or "Zavanelli" or "cesarian" or "caesarian" or "shoulder dystocia"). Studies with clinical details of BPI after CS were included. Studies were assessed using the National Institutes for Healthy Study Quality Assessment Tool for Case Series, Cohort and Case-Control Studies. MAIN RESULTS: 39 studies were eligible. 299 infants sustained BPI after CS. 53% of cases with BPI after CS had risk factors for likely challenging handling/manipulation of the fetus prior to delivery, in the presence of considerable maternal or fetal concerns, and/or in the presence of poor access due to obesity or adhesions. CONCLUSIONS: In the presence of factors that would predispose to a challenging delivery, it is difficult to justify that BPI could occur due to in-utero, antepartum events alone. Surgeons should exercise care when operating on women with these risk factors.

Diagnosis of maternal birth trauma by pelvic floor ultrasound.

BRIEF SUMMARY: Maternal somatic birth trauma due to vaginal delivery is more common than generally assumed and an important cause of future morbidity. Maternal birth trauma may involve both psychological and somatic morbidity, some of it long-term and permanent. Somatic birth trauma is now understood to encompass not just episiotomy, perineal tears and obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASI), but also trauma to the levator ani muscle, termed 'avulsion'. This review will focus on recent developments in the imaging diagnosis of maternal birth trauma, discuss the most important risk factors and strategies for primary and secondary prevention. Translabial and exo-anal ultrasound allow the assessment of maternal birth trauma in routine clinical practice and enable the use of levator avulsion and anal sphincter trauma as key performance indicators of maternity services. This is likely to lead to a greater awareness of maternal birth trauma amongst maternity caregivers and improved outcomes for patients, not the least due to an increasing emphasis on patient autonomy and informed consent in antenatal and intrapartum care.

Skeletal injuries after cesarean section - a rare differential diagnosis of child abuse.

Birth-related fractures are an important differential diagnosis of child abuse in early infancy. While fractures associated to vaginal deliveries are well known, cesarean section is not necessarily known to cause such injuries. Nevertheless neonatal fractures have been described after cesarean sections. To give an overview over the frequency and typical locations of such fractures, the appearance of symptoms and the timespan until diagnosis, a literature research was conducted via Google scholar and Pubmed, using the key words "cesarean section" and "fractures". Birth-related fractures after cesarean sections are rare but can occur, with the long bones being particularly affected. Therefore, birth injuries should always be considered in the forensic medical assessment of fractures in early infancy, even after cesarean section. To enable a differentiation between birth trauma and physical abuse, birth and operation records should be checked for surgical manoeuvres, possible difficulties during the procedure or other risk factors. Birth-related fractures are usually detected early; in rare cases, the diagnosis is made only weeks after birth.

Compliance with clinical guidelines increases the safety of vacuum-assisted delivery.

BACKGROUND: Vacuum-assisted delivery (VAD) is a common and safe obstetric procedure. However, occasionally serious complications may occur. Clinical guidelines and College Statements have been developed to reduce the risk of serious adverse events. The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) College Statement C-Obs 16 has not been evaluated to see if advice improves outcomes. AIM: The aim was to evaluate whether compliance with RANZCOG College Statement C-Obs 16 advice reduced the risk of serious adverse outcomes, specifically clinically significant subgaleal haemorrhage and major birth trauma. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective audit of VADs in a level five hospital (NSW Maternity and Neonatal capability framework) from January 2020 to 2021. RESULTS: There were 1960 women who delivered in the study period, of whom 252 (12.8%) delivered by vacuum, and complete data were available from 241 cases. Statement compliance was observed in 81%. The main deviation from Statement compliance was pulls exceeding three. Statement compliance was associated with a significant reduction in the incidence of subgaleal haemorrhage (0% vs 11%, P = 0.0002), major birth trauma (3% vs 22%, P = 0.0001), requirement for neonatal resuscitation (14% vs 35%, P = 0.0026) and Apgar scores at one minute less than six (5% vs 22% P = 0.0006). Statement compliance was associated with a significant reduction in maternal blood loss at delivery (388 mL vs 438 mL, P = 0.01). Noncompliance with Statement advice was observed significantly more often in pregnancy complicated by gestational diabetes (3% vs 15%, P = 0.02) and birth requiring instrument change (4% vs 13% P = 0.031). CONCLUSION: Compliance with a College Statement is associated with lower rates of subgaleal haemorrhage and major neonatal trauma. The main deviation from compliance was pulls in excess of three. Keyword: birth trauma, clinical guidelines, quality and safety in healthcare, subgaleal haemorrhage, vacuum delivery.

"Assisted vaginal birth using the Paily obstetric forceps vs Ventouse - A randomized clinical trial".

OBJECTIVE: Instruments used in assisted vaginal birth have seen little innovation for decades. Due to the risk of trauma and technical difficulty incurred during forceps delivery, instrumental deliveries are on a decline, and the global rate of primary cesarean birth is rising. The novel Paily Obstetric Forceps (POF) features a compact, lighter design with thinner blades, designed to increase operator comfort and minimize maternal and neonatal injuries. We aim to determine the feasibility and safety of POF in achieving vaginal birth compared to a ventouse device with a 50 mm silastic cup. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a single-blinded, parallel arm, randomized clinical trial of the novel POF vs a ventouse device, in patients undergoing indicated assisted vaginal birth, at a tertiary care obstetric unit. We randomized 100 patients to be allocated on a 1:1 ratio to both intervention arms. Primary outcome was the proportion of successful instrumental deliveries. Secondary outcomes were the number of pulls required during traction and any maternal or neonatal adverse events. RESULTS: The POF was significantly more successful in achieving vaginal birth than the ventouse device (n = 50/50, 100 % vs n = 42/50, 84 %, p = 0.006). Operators reported requiring significantly fewer pulls during POF traction than ventouse. POF demonstrated a higher risk for maternal trauma (RR = 3.2, 95 % CI = 1.5 to 6.9, NNH = 2.7) but a lower risk for neonatal injury (RR = 0.6, 95 % CI = 0.3 to 1, NNH = 5.7). Maternal and neonatal recovery durations were comparable. There were no incidences of maternal or neonatal mortality. CONCLUSION: The POF can be used in indicated assisted vaginal birth with superior success rates and better neonatal outcomes than ventouse. Other obstetric forceps must be standardized to conduct larger superiority trials of forceps designs.

Birth injury in breech delivery: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Finland.

PURPOSE: Previous studies have examined the optimal mode of breech delivery extensively, but there is a scarcity of publications focusing on the birth injuries of neonates born in breech presentation. This study aimed to examine birth injury in breech deliveries. METHODS: In this retrospective register-based nationwide cohort study, data on birth injuries in vaginal breech deliveries with singleton live births were compared to cesarean section with breech presentation and cephalic vaginal delivery between 2004 and 2017 in Finland. The data were retrieved from the National Medical Birth Register. Primary outcome variables were severe and mild birth injury. Incidences of birth injuries in different gestational ages and birthweights were calculated in different modes of delivery. Crude odds ratios of risk factors for severe birth injury were analyzed. RESULTS: In vaginal breech delivery (n = 4344), there were 0.8% of neonates with severe birth injury and 1.5% of neonates with mild birth injury compared to 0.06% and 0.2% in breech cesarean section (n = 16,979) and 0.3% and 1.9% in cephalic vaginal delivery (n = 629,182). Brachial plexus palsy was the most common type of injury in vaginal breech delivery. Increasing gestational age and birthweight had a stronger effect on the risk for injury among cephalic vaginal deliveries than among vaginal breech deliveries. CONCLUSION: Birth injuries were rare in vaginal breech deliveries. The incidence of severe birth injury was two times higher in vaginal breech delivery compared to cephalic vaginal delivery. Brachial plexus palsy was the most common type of injury in vaginal breech delivery.

Increased incidence of shoulder dystocia but a declining incidence of obstetric brachial plexus palsy in vaginally delivered infants.

INTRODUCTION: Obstetric brachial plexus palsy (OBPP) is a serious form of neonatal morbidity. The primary aim of this population-based registry study was to examine temporal trends, 1997-2019, of OBPP in infants delivered vaginally in a cephalic presentation. The secondary aim was to examine temporal changes in the incidence of associated risk factors. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This was a population-based registry study including singleton, cephalic, vaginally delivered infants, 1997-2019, in Sweden. To compare changes in the incidence rates of OBPP and associated risk factors over time, univariate logistic regression was used and odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated. RESULTS: The incidence of OBPP in infants delivered vaginally in a cephalic presentation decreased from 3.1 per 1000 births in 1997 to 1.0 per 1000 births in 2019 (OR 0.31, 95% CI 0.24-0.40). Conversely, the incidence of shoulder dystocia increased from 2.0 per 1000 in 1997 to 3.3 per 1000 in 2019 (OR 1.64, 95% CI 1.34-2.01). Over time, the proportion of women with body mass index of 30 kg/m2 or greater increased (14.5% in 2019 compared with 8.0% in year 1997, OR 1.96, 95% CI 1.89-2.03), more women had induction of labor (20.5% in 2019 compared with 8.6% in 1997, OR 2.74, 95% CI 2.66-2.83) and epidural analgesia (41.2% in 2019 compared with 29.0% in 1997, OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.68-1.75). In contrast, there was a decrease in the rate of operative vaginal delivery (6.0% in 2019, compared with 8.1% in 1997, OR 0.72, 95% CI 0.69, 0.75) and in the proportion of infants with a birthweight greater than 4500 g (2.7% in 2019 compared with 3.8% in 1997, OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.66-0.74). The decline in the incidence of these two risk factors explained only a small fraction of the overall decrease in OBPP between 1997-2002 and 2015-219. CONCLUSIONS: The incidence of OBPP in vaginally delivered infants in a cephalic presentation at birth decreased during the period 1997-2019 despite an increase in important risk factors including shoulder dystocia.

Cranial ultrasound screening in term and late preterm neonates born by vacuum-assisted delivery: Is it worthwhile?

BACKGROUND: Vacuum extraction is the most common choice to assist vaginal delivery, but there are still concerns regarding the neonatal injuries it may cause. This study aimed to evaluate the rate of intracranial injuries assessed by cranial ultrasound (cUS) among infants born by vacuum extraction, and the relationship with maternal and perinatal factors. METHODS: This was a single-center retrospective study carried out in a level-3 neonatal unit. A total of 593 term and late preterm infants born by vacuum-assisted delivery were examined with a cUS scan within 3 days after birth. RESULTS: Major head injuries were clinically silent and occurred in 2% of the infants, with a rate of intracranial haemorrhage of 1.7%. Regardless of obstetric factors, the risk of cranial injury was increased in infants requiring resuscitation at birth (p = 0.04, OR 4.1), admitted to NICU (p = 0.01, OR 5.5) or with perinatal asphyxia (p < 0.01, OR 21.3). Maternal age ≥40 years correlated both with adverse perinatal outcomes (p < 0.05) and the occurrence of major injury (p = 0.02, OR 4.6). CONCLUSION: Overall, vacuum extraction is a safe procedure for neonates. Head injuries are usually mild and asymptomatic, and with spontaneous recovery. However, the rate of major cranial injuries in our cohort warrants further investigation to support a cUS screening, particularly for infants requiring respiratory support at birth. Also, maternal age might be taken into account when evaluating the risk for neonatal complications after vacuum application.

Birth trauma in preterm spontaneous vaginal and cesarean section deliveries: A 10-years retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: We compared birth injuries for spontaneous vaginal (VD) and caesarean section (CS) deliveries in preterm and term pregnancies. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a single tertiary center, between January 1st, 2007, and December 31st, 2017. The study included 62330 singleton pregnancies delivered after 24 0/7 weeks gestation. Multivariable analyses compared trauma at birth, birth hypoxia and birth asphyxia in term and preterm deliveries, stratified by mode of birth, VD versus CS. Main outcome measure was trauma at birth including intracranial laceration and haemorrhage, injuries to scalp, injuries to central and peripheral nervous system, fractures to skeleton, facial and eye injury. RESULTS: The incidence of preterm deliveries was 10.9%. Delivery of preterm babies by CS increased from 37.0% in 2007 to 60.0% in 2017. The overall incidence of all birth trauma was 16.2%. When stratified by mode of delivery, birth trauma was recorded in 23.4% of spontaneous vaginal deliveries and 7.5% of CS deliveries (aOR 3.3, 95%CI 3.1-3.5). When considered all types of birth trauma, incidence of trauma at birth was higher after 28 weeks gestation in VD compared to CS (28-31 weeks, aOR 1.7, 95% CI 1.3-2.3; 32-36 weeks, aOR 4.2, 95% CI 3.6-4.9; >37 weeks, aOR 3.3, 95% CI 3.1-3.5). There was no difference in the incidence of birth trauma before 28 weeks gestation between VD and CS (aOR 0.8, 95% CI 0.5-1.2). Regarding overall life-threatening birth trauma or injuries at birth with severe consequences such as cerebral and intraventricular haemorrhage, cranial and brachial nerve injury, fractures of long bones and clavicle, eye and facial injury, there was no difference in vaginal preterm deliveries compared to CS deliveries (p > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSION: CS is not protective of injury at birth. When all types of birth trauma are considered, these are more common in spontaneous VD, thus favoring CS as preferred method of delivery to avoid trauma at birth. However, when stratified by severity of birth trauma, preterm babies delivered vaginally are not at higher risk of major birth trauma than those delivered by CS.