Neonatal mortality risk of large-for-gestational-age and macrosomic live births in 15 countries, including 115.6 million nationwide linked records, 2000-2020.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to compare the prevalence and neonatal mortality associated with large for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomia among 115.6 million live births in 15 countries, between 2000 and 2020. DESIGN: Population-based, multi-country study. SETTING: National healthcare systems. POPULATION: Liveborn infants. METHODS: We used individual-level data identified for the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We calculated the prevalence and relative risk (RR) of neonatal mortality among live births born at term + LGA (>90th centile, and also >95th and >97th centiles when the data were available) versus term + appropriate for gestational age (AGA, 10th-90th centiles) and macrosomic (≥4000, ≥4500 and ≥5000 g, regardless of gestational age) versus 2500-3999 g. INTERGROWTH 21st served as the reference population. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence and neonatal mortality risks. RESULTS: Large for gestational age was common (median prevalence 18.2%; interquartile range, IQR, 13.5%-22.0%), and overall was associated with a lower neonatal mortality risk compared with AGA (RR 0.83, 95% CI 0.77-0.89). Around one in ten babies were ≥4000 g (median prevalence 9.6% (IQR 6.4%-13.3%), with 1.2% (IQR 0.7%-2.0%) ≥4500 g and with 0.2% (IQR 0.1%-0.2%) ≥5000 g). Overall, macrosomia of ≥4000 g was not associated with increased neonatal mortality risk (RR 0.80, 95% CI 0.69-0.94); however, a higher risk was observed for birthweights of ≥4500 g (RR 1.52, 95% CI 1.10-2.11) and ≥5000 g (RR 4.54, 95% CI 2.58-7.99), compared with birthweights of 2500-3999 g, with the highest risk observed in the first 7 days of life. CONCLUSIONS: In this population, birthweight of ≥4500 g was the most useful marker for early mortality risk in big babies and could be used to guide clinical management decisions.

Registration of a pregnant woman in the maternity hospital (optimally at 36th-37th weeks) at the Olomouc University Hospital in 2022.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to analyse the results of the implementation of the new health service Registration of a pregnant woman in the maternity hospital (optimally at 36th-37th weeks) provided as part of outpatient/ambulatory health care at Olomouc University Hospital (OUH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective cohort study. In 2022, a total of 2,271 women gave birth in OUH, and 2,010 of them were Registered in the maternity hospital, defined specific risks were identified and a pregnancy termination strategy was established/determined. RESULTS: The health service was provided to 88.5% of women giving birth (2,010/2,271). The age of the mothers was 15-56 years (mean 31.3 years; median 31 years), their body mass index was 13.4-53.1 kg/m2 (mean 24.6 kg/m2; median 23.2 kg/m2). 43.6% of them (877/2,010) were Low-risk pregnancies and 56.4% (1,133/2,010) were Pregnancies with a defined specific risk. The most frequently identified risks were as follows: RhD negative blood group (18.4%), diabetes mellitus (13.9%), history of caesarean section (12.0%), hypertensive disorders (6.5%), small fetus/fetal growth restriction (6.3%), risk the development of hemolytic disease in the fetus and the newborn (2.5%), multiple pregnancy (1.6%), congenital malformation of the fetus (1.3%) and placentation disorders (0.5%). In 63.4% of them (1,275/2,010), the pregnancy termination strategy was determined by spontaneous vaginal delivery, in 18.0% (361/2,010) by pre-induction of vaginal delivery and in 14.2% (285/2,010) by caesarean section. In 4.4% (89/2,010) the health service was not implemented correctly because no strategy was established. CONCLUSION: The implementation of the new health service will make it possible to replace activity (more frequent antenatal care contacts/visits and routine antenatal cardiotocography) with efficiency (risk identification, determination of the optimal strategy for outpatient/ambulatory antenatal care and timing and mode of delivery) and thereby provide better and safer health care (from a medical, organizational, legislative and economic points of view).

Neonatal mortality risk for vulnerable newborn types in 15 countries using 125.5 million nationwide birth outcome records, 2000-2020.

OBJECTIVE: To compare neonatal mortality associated with six novel vulnerable newborn types in 125.5 million live births across 15 countries, 2000-2020. DESIGN: Population-based, multi-country study. SETTING: National data systems in 15 middle- and high-income countries. METHODS: We used individual-level data sets identified for the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We examined the contribution to neonatal mortality of six newborn types combining gestational age (preterm [PT] versus term [T]) and size-for-gestational age (small [SGA], <10th centile, appropriate [AGA], 10th-90th centile or large [LGA], >90th centile) according to INTERGROWTH-21st newborn standards. Newborn babies with PT or SGA were defined as small and T + LGA was considered as large. We calculated risk ratios (RRs) and population attributable risks (PAR%) for the six newborn types. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Mortality of six newborn types. RESULTS: Of 125.5 million live births analysed, risk ratios were highest among PT + SGA (median 67.2, interquartile range [IQR] 45.6-73.9), PT + AGA (median 34.3, IQR 23.9-37.5) and PT + LGA (median 28.3, IQR 18.4-32.3). At the population level, PT + AGA was the greatest contributor to newborn mortality (median PAR% 53.7, IQR 44.5-54.9). Mortality risk was highest among newborns born before 28 weeks (median RR 279.5, IQR 234.2-388.5) compared with babies born between 37 and 42 completed weeks or with a birthweight less than 1000 g (median RR 282.8, IQR 194.7-342.8) compared with those between 2500 g and 4000 g as a reference group. CONCLUSION: Preterm newborn types were the most vulnerable, and associated with the highest mortality, particularly with co-existence of preterm and SGA. As PT + AGA is more prevalent, it is responsible for the greatest burden of neonatal deaths at population level.

Vulnerable newborn types: Analysis of population-based registries for 165 million births in 23 countries, 2000-2021.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the prevalence of novel newborn types among 165 million live births in 23 countries from 2000 to 2021. DESIGN: Population-based, multi-country analysis. SETTING: National data systems in 23 middle- and high-income countries. POPULATION: Liveborn infants. METHODS: Country teams with high-quality data were invited to be part of the Vulnerable Newborn Measurement Collaboration. We classified live births by six newborn types based on gestational age information (preterm <37 weeks versus term ≥37 weeks) and size for gestational age defined as small (SGA, <10th centile), appropriate (10th-90th centiles), or large (LGA, >90th centile) for gestational age, according to INTERGROWTH-21st standards. We considered small newborn types of any combination of preterm or SGA, and term + LGA was considered large. Time trends were analysed using 3-year moving averages for small and large types. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of six newborn types. RESULTS: We analysed 165 017 419 live births and the median prevalence of small types was 11.7% - highest in Malaysia (26%) and Qatar (15.7%). Overall, 18.1% of newborns were large (term + LGA) and was highest in Estonia 28.8% and Denmark 25.9%. Time trends of small and large infants were relatively stable in most countries. CONCLUSIONS: The distribution of newborn types varies across the 23 middle- and high-income countries. Small newborn types were highest in west Asian countries and large types were highest in Europe. To better understand the global patterns of these novel newborn types, more information is needed, especially from low- and middle-income countries.

Incidence of spontaneous abortions and congenital anomalies in the vicinity of a uranium processing plant.

OBJECTIVES: The exposure of embryos or foetuses to ionising radiation can cause serious detriments to health. Thus, an enhanced incidence of spontaneous abortions and congenital anomalies might be expected in the vicinity of a uranium processing plant. We analysed the situation in the vicinity of MAPE Mydlovary, a facility about 20 km from Ceské Budejovice, South Bohemia, Czech Republic, which was in operation from 1963 to 1992. METHODS: No relevant data are available for the period of operation of the uranium processing plant. Statistical data have only been collected since 1994. As sanitation work in the area was initiated at around that time and has yet to be completed, we considered a study of possible prenatal effects in the vicinity of MAPE Mydlovary to still be of interest. Data were provided by the Institute of Health Information and Statistics of the Czech Republic for the years 1994-2013. RESULTS: We tested whether there are demonstrable, statistically significant differences between the microregions of the four closest villages (Mydlovary, Olesník, Zahájí, and Zliv), the District of Ceské Budejovice, the South-Bohemian Region, and the Czech Republic. CONCLUSIONS: No increase was found in the incidence of spontaneous abortions and congenital anomalies in the vicinity of this former uranium processing plant compared to the surrounding District of Ceské Budejovice, the South Bohemian Region, or the Czech Republic as a whole.

Congenital anomalies in children born in the Czech Republic in 1994-2015.

ÚVOD Populace je v současné vystavena různým zevním vlivům, ze kterých mohou vyplývat i různá zdravotní rizika. Jedním z možných je i riziko vzniku vrozené vady (VV). Z hlediska studia zdravotního stavu populace je důležitá znalost nejen průměrných celkových incidencí VV, ale i případných změn těchto incidencí v průběhu času. Incidence VV je považována za jeden ze základních kvalitativních ukazatelů populačních i medicínských (1). Nelze opomenout ani hledání potenciálních rizik vedoucích ke zvýšené pravděpodobnosti výskytu VV. Těmito riziky mohou být nežádoucí vlivy zevního prostředí nebo faktory biologicko-sociální (věk žen, jejich onemocnění aj). Podíl jednotlivých typů VV u narozených dětí se v čase mění, obdobně jako struktura příčin úmrtí. Z hlediska epidemiologického je nutné hodnotit incidence VV a jejich změny především z pohledu jednotlivých diagnóz. Během posledních let se intenzita VV v Česku měnila. U některých typů se četnost v novorozenecké populaci snižuje díky úspěšné prenatální diagnostice, u jiných diagnóz naopak četnost u narozených dětí stoupá (2). Kromě prenatální diagnostiky se však na výsledné četnosti VV v populaci mohou uplatňovat i další vlivy. Jedním z nich může být i zlepšení, zrychlení a zkvalitnění postnatálních diagnostických možností - především zavedení a rozvoj ultrazvukové diagnostiky (3). Úspěšnost prenatální diagnostiky a četnost VV u narozených jsou rovněž významným ukazatelem prenatální a perinatální péče, přežívání dětí narozených s VV pak ukazatelem péče postnatální (především neonatální a chirurgické). Registrace vrozených vad má v České republice dlouhou tradici - Národní registr vrozených vad zahájil svou činnost již před více než půlstoletím, v roce 1964 (4).   METODIKA Retrospektivní epidemiologická studie využívá oficiální data z Národního registru vrozených vad vedeného v rámci Registru reprodukčního zdraví v Ústavu zdravotnických informací a statistiky ČR (ÚZIS). Analyzovány byly incidence jednotlivých diagnóz vrozených vad (kódy Q00-Q99) u narozených dětí z celého území České republiky za časové období 1994-2015. Incidence VV byly analyzovány pro obě pohlaví, a to jak celkově (pro celou skupinu diagnóz VV), tak i dle základních diagnostických skupin Mezinárodní klasifikace nemocí (MKN).   VÝSLEDKY V období 1994-2015 se dle údajů ÚZIS ČR narodilo v České republice celkem 87 359 dětí s vrozenou vadou zjištěnou do 1 roku života. Z tohoto celkového počtu bylo 51 315 chlapců a 36 030 dívek. U 14 případů nebylo pohlaví známé / zjištěno. Vývoj počtu diagnostikovaných případů ukazují přehledně první tři grafy (obr. 1-3), zvlášť pro chlapce, dívky a celkově. V relativních počtech to bylo za celé sledované období průměrně 385,4 na 10 000 živě narozených dětí: nejméně 242,5 v roce 1994, nejvíce pak 448,3 v roce 2011. V případě živě narozených chlapců to bylo nejméně 263,6 v roce 1994, nejvíce pak 533,3 v roce 2011; průměrná hodnota činila 440,6 na 10 000. U živě narozených dívek byla průměrná hodnota za sledované období 327,1 na 10 000 ; nejnižší hodnota 220,1 byla zaznamenána opět v roce 1994, nejvyšší hodnota 380,9 v roce 2003. Grafy na obr. 4-6 ukazují relativní počty na 10 000 živě narozených v průběhu sledovaného období, opět zvlášť pro chlapce, dívky a celkově. Další část naší analýzy se věnovala změnám v průběhu sledovaného období pro jednotlivé skupiny diagnóz dle rozdělení v Mezinárodní klasifikaci nemocí, 10. verze (tab. 1). various types of congenital anomalies are changing during the time according to different factors. Three main factors are methodical changes of the registration process, improvement of prenatal diagnostics and the real changes of incidences of selected diagnoses. While in the previous time period (till 1993) the registry included only selected diagnoses of congenital anomalies, in the new period (starting 1994) the registry includes all diagnoses of congenital anomalies from the ICD-10 classification. We can also see the difference in the incidences from 1994-1999 and 2000-2015 time period. The reason for this difference is the methodical change of registration, the Registry of congenital anomalies also receives the notifications about possible anomalies from the report of newborn (even when the report of congenital anomaly was not sent). As for the prenatal diagnostics - we may analyse possible changes of incidences - if the specific defect can be diagnosed prenatally.