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Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology... Jun 2022Stillbirth is a global health problem having many emotional, social and economic consequences. India has the largest number of stillbirths per year in the world.
INTRODUCTION
Stillbirth is a global health problem having many emotional, social and economic consequences. India has the largest number of stillbirths per year in the world.
OBJECTIVE
The objective of this study is to review the causes of stillbirth and classify the causes into maternal, foetal and placental causes and further classify causes by relevant condition at death (ReCoDe) classification. We intend to observe the causes of and demographic factors contributing to the burden of stillbirths. Using this data, the areas of action can be identified and measures can be formulated to reduce a significant number of perinatal mortalities.
METHODOLOGY
This is an observational study of data collected over one year (January 2019-December 2019) from a tertiary care centre in Mumbai, India. The maternal demographic characteristics and causes of stillbirth were studied. The causes of stillbirths were classified into maternal, foetal and placental causes and relevant condition at death (ReCoDe) classification [1].
RESULTS
A total of 9074 babies were delivered during this period. There were 275 stillbirths in this year (SBR 30.3 per 1000 total births). Majority of the mothers were in the age group of 26-30 years (32.7%). Almost all the mothers (98.5%) were from urban areas. As per the modified Kuppuswamy classification for urban India, 195 (71.79%) belonged to the upper lower class. 31.2% were primigravidae, and 54.8% had 3 or more antenatal visits. Maternal conditions (pre-eclampsia, diabetes, pre-existing medical disorders) as a group were the cause of maximum number (42%) of stillbirths either directly or as a contributory risk factor. 78% of the stillbirths occurred in the antepartum period. Ours being a referral centre, 65% subjects in the study were referred to us from other peripheral hospitals. 53.8% of the stillborn babies were male. 58.9% were macerated stillbirths. According to the ReCoDe classification, hypertensive disease in pregnancy was the most common cause of stillbirths (76) followed by foetal growth restriction (30).
CONCLUSION
Most of the stillbirths in this study were due to maternal medical conditions. Out of these conditions, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and its consequences were the most common (66.08%). Better regulation of the private healthcare sector, provision of healthcare providers and better equipments in peripheral health centres and a well-chalked out referral system will contribute to reduction in the number of preventable stillbirths. Regular facility-based stillbirth review meetings and healthcare provider accountability would also help to reduce the burden of this silent epidemic as well as reach the goal of a "single-digit" stillbirth rate by the year 2030.
PubMed: 35734358
DOI: 10.1007/s13224-021-01571-1 -
Obstetrics and Gynecology Jun 2024Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is recommended in pregnancy to reduce the risk of severe morbidity from COVID-19. However, vaccine hesitancy persists...
OBJECTIVE
Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination is recommended in pregnancy to reduce the risk of severe morbidity from COVID-19. However, vaccine hesitancy persists among pregnant people, with risk of stillbirth being a primary concern. Our objective was to examine the association between COVID-19 vaccination and stillbirth.
METHODS
We performed a matched case-control study in the Vaccine Safety Datalink (VSD). Stillbirths and live births were selected from singleton pregnancies among persons aged 16-49 years with at least one prenatal, delivery, or postpartum visit at eight participating VSD sites. Stillbirths identified through diagnostic codes were adjudicated to confirm the outcome, date, and gestational age at fetal death. Confirmed antepartum stillbirths that occurred between February 14, 2021, and February 27, 2022, then were matched 1:3 to live births by pregnancy start date, VSD site, and maternal age at delivery. Associations among antepartum stillbirth and COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy, vaccine manufacturer, number of vaccine doses received, and vaccination within 6 weeks before stillbirth (or index date in live births) were evaluated using conditional logistic regression.
RESULTS
In the matched analysis of 276 confirmed antepartum stillbirths and 822 live births, we found no association between COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and stillbirth (38.4% stillbirths vs 39.3% live births in vaccinated individuals, adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.02, 95% CI, 0.76-1.37). Furthermore, no association between COVID-19 vaccination and stillbirth was detected by vaccine manufacturer (Moderna: aOR 1.00, 95% CI, 0.62-1.62; Pfizer-BioNTech: aOR 1.00, 95% CI, 0.69-1.43), number of vaccine doses received during pregnancy (1 vs 0: aOR 1.17, 95% CI, 0.75-1.83; 2 vs 0: aOR 0.98, 95% CI, 0.81-1.17), or COVID-19 vaccination within the 6 weeks before stillbirth or index date compared with no vaccination (aOR 1.16, 95% CI, 0.74-1.83).
CONCLUSION
No association was found between COVID-19 vaccination and stillbirth. These findings further support recommendations for COVID-19 vaccination in pregnancy.
PubMed: 38843526
DOI: 10.1097/AOG.0000000000005632 -
Human Reproduction (Oxford, England) Oct 2018How is endometriosis associated with adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancy? (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
STUDY QUESTION
How is endometriosis associated with adverse maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes of pregnancy?
SUMMARY ANSWER
Women with endometriosis are at elevated risk for serious and important adverse maternal (pre-eclampsia, gestational diabetes, placenta praevia and Cesarean section) and fetal or neonatal outcomes (preterm birth, PPROM, small for gestational age, stillbirth and neonatal death).
WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY
A number of studies have shown an association between endometriosis and certain adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, but the results have been conflicting with potential for confounding by the use of assisted reproductive technology.
STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION
A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies (1 January 1990-31 December 2017) that evaluated the effect of endometriosis on maternal, fetal and neonatal outcomes was conducted.
PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS
Studies were considered for inclusion if they were prospective or retrospective cohort or case-control studies; included women greater than 20 weeks gestational age with endometriosis; included a control group of gravid women without endometriosis; and, reported at least one of the outcomes of interest. Each study was reviewed for inclusion, data were extracted and risk of bias was assessed by two independent reviewers.
MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE
The search strategy identified 33 studies (sample size, n = 3 280 488) for inclusion. Compared with women without endometriosis, women with endometriosis had higher odds of pre-eclampsia (odds ratio [OR] = 1.18 [1.01-1.39]), gestational hypertension and/or pre-eclampsia (OR = 1.21 [1.05-1.39]), gestational diabetes (OR = 1.26 [1.03-1.55]), gestational cholestasis (OR = 4.87 [1.85-12.83]), placenta praevia (OR = 3.31 [2.37, 4.63]), antepartum hemorrhage (OR = 1.69 [1.38-2.07]), antepartum hospital admissions (OR = 3.18 [2.60-3.87]), malpresentation (OR = 1.71 [1.34, 2.18]), labor dystocia (OR = 1.45 [1.04-2.01]) and cesarean section (OR = 1.86 [1.51-2.29]). Fetuses and neonates of women with endometriosis were also more likely to have preterm premature rupture of membranes (OR = 2.33 [1.39-3.90]), preterm birth (OR = 1.70 [1.40-2.06]), small for gestational age <10th% (OR = 1.28 [1.11-1.49]), NICU admission (OR = 1.39 [1.08-1.78]), stillbirth (OR = 1.29 [1.10, 1.52]) and neonatal death (MOR = 1.78 [1.46-2.16]). Among the subgroup of women who conceived spontaneously, endometriosis was found to be associated with placenta praevia, cesarean section, preterm birth and low birth weight. Among the subgroup of women who conceived with the use of assisted reproductive technology, endometriosis was found to be associated with placenta praevia and preterm birth.
LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION
As with any systematic review, the review is limited by the quality of the included studies. The diagnosis for endometriosis and the selection of comparison groups were not uniform across studies. However, the effect of potential misclassification would be bias towards the null hypothesis.
WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS
The association between endometriosis with the important and serious pregnancy outcomes observed in our meta-analysis, in particular stillbirth and neonatal death, is concerning and warrants further studies to elucidate the mechanisms for the observed findings.
STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)
Dr Shifana Lalani is supported by a Physicians' Services Incorporated Foundation Research Grant, and Dr Innie Chen is supported by a University of Ottawa Clinical Research Chair in Reproductive Population Health and Health Services. Dr Singh declares conflicts of interests with Bayer, Abvie, Allergan and Cooper Surgical. All other authors have no conflicts of interests to declare.
REGISTRATION NUMBER
PROSPERO CRD42015013911.
Topics: Case-Control Studies; Cesarean Section; Diabetes, Gestational; Endometriosis; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Perinatal Death; Placenta Previa; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Pre-Eclampsia; Pregnancy; Premature Birth; Prospective Studies; Retrospective Studies; Stillbirth
PubMed: 30239732
DOI: 10.1093/humrep/dey269 -
Pitfalls of International Classification of Diseases - Perinatal mortality in analysing stillbirths.Public Health Dec 2021This study aimed to evaluate the trend of stillbirth from 2009 to 2018. The causes of stillbirth were classified using the International Classification of Diseases -...
OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to evaluate the trend of stillbirth from 2009 to 2018. The causes of stillbirth were classified using the International Classification of Diseases - Perinatal Mortality (ICD-PM).
STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS
A retrospective chart review was performed on 135 stillbirths from 2009 to 2018 in a tertiary university teaching hospital. The annual stillbirth rate was calculated, and the trend was evaluated. The cause of death was reclassified using ICD-PM.
RESULTS
The stillbirth rate was 3.70 per 1000 total births, and it remained stable over the studied period (P = 0.238). Most of the stillbirth (97.8%) were antepartum deaths. The proportion of unexplained stillbirth was reduced from 57% to 18.5% after reclassified by ICD-PM coding. Another major cause of antepartum stillbirths was disorders related to fetal growth, which consisted of mothers with medical and surgical conditions (11%, n = 15, ICD-PM code A5, M4) or mothers with complications of placenta, cord and membranes (8.9%, n = 12, ICD-PM code A5, M1).
CONCLUSION
The use of ICD-PM was useful in reducing the proportion of unexplained stillbirths. ICD-PM has the advantages of coding related to the timing of stillbirth and associated maternal conditions. Pitfalls including the unclear use of the code A3-'antepartum hypoxia,' guidance on coding of well-controlled maternal medical conditions and placental pathology and the importance of subcategorisation need to be addressed.
Topics: Female; Humans; Pregnancy; Cause of Death; International Classification of Diseases; Perinatal Mortality; Placenta; Retrospective Studies; Stillbirth; Infant, Newborn
PubMed: 34742112
DOI: 10.1016/j.puhe.2021.09.032 -
American Journal of Perinatology Jan 2020To determine if women with an antepartum admission for hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (HDP) were at increased risk for stillbirth.
OBJECTIVE
To determine if women with an antepartum admission for hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (HDP) were at increased risk for stillbirth.
STUDY DESIGN
This study utilized the 2010 to 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Antepartum admissions with HDP were identified and linked to subsequent delivery hospitalizations. Delivery hospitalizations with HDP without a preceding antepartum HDP admission were also identified. Risk for stillbirth, abruption, or both was compared between these two groups.
RESULTS
An estimated 382,621 deliveries with an HDP diagnosis were identified of which 14,857 (3.9%) had a preceding antepartum admission for HDP. Stillbirth occurred in 7.8 per 1,000 delivery hospitalizations complicated by HDP with risk higher with a preceding HDP antepartum admission in both unadjusted (1.1 vs. 0.8%, risk ratios [RR] 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24-1.70) and adjusted (adjusted risk ratios [aRR] 1.24, 95% CI 1.06, 1.46) analyses. Abruption occurred in 19.6 per 1,000 delivery hospitalizations complicated by HDP with risk higher with a preceding HDP antepartum admission in both unadjusted (2.5 vs. 1.9%, RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.17-1.44) and adjusted (aRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11, 1.37) analyses. Risk for combined abruption and stillbirth did not differ significantly.
CONCLUSION
In this analysis, prior antenatal hospitalization was associated with increased risk for stillbirth among women with HDP.
Topics: Abruptio Placentae; Adolescent; Adult; Female; Hospitalization; Humans; Hypertension, Pregnancy-Induced; Middle Aged; Odds Ratio; Patient Readmission; Pregnancy; Prenatal Care; Risk; Stillbirth; Young Adult
PubMed: 31563137
DOI: 10.1055/s-0039-1697589 -
The American Journal of Clinical... Oct 2015In high-income countries, maternal obesity is one of the most important modifiable causes of stillbirth, yet the pathways underpinning this association remain unclear.
BACKGROUND
In high-income countries, maternal obesity is one of the most important modifiable causes of stillbirth, yet the pathways underpinning this association remain unclear.
OBJECTIVE
We estimated the association between maternal prepregnancy body mass index (BMI) and the risk of stillbirth defined by pathophysiologic contributors or causes.
DESIGN
Using a case-cohort design, we randomly sampled 1829 singleton deliveries from a cohort of 68,437 eligible deliveries at Magee-Womens Hospital in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (2003-2010), and augmented it with all remaining cases of stillbirth for a total of 658 cases. Stillbirths were classified based on probable cause(s) of death (maternal medical conditions, obstetric complications, fetal abnormalities, placental diseases, and infection). A panel of clinical experts reviewed medical records, placental tissue slides and pathology reports, and fetal postmortem reports of all stillbirths. Causes of fetal death were assigned by using the Stillbirth Collaborative Research Network Initial Causes of Fetal Death protocol from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Proportional hazards models were used to estimate the BMI-stillbirth association after adjustment for confounders.
RESULTS
The rate of stillbirth among lean, overweight, obese, and severely obese women was 7.7, 10.6, 13.9, and 17.3 per 1000 live-born and stillborn infants, respectively. Adjusted stillbirth HRs (95% CIs) were 1.4 (1.1, 1.8) for overweight, 1.8 (1.3, 2.4) for obese, and 2.0 (1.5, 2.8) for severely obese women, respectively, compared with lean women; associations strengthened when limited to antepartum stillbirths. Obesity and severe obesity were associated with stillbirth resulting from placental diseases, hypertension, fetal anomalies, and umbilical cord abnormalities. BMI was not related to stillbirth caused by placental abruption, obstetric conditions, or infection.
CONCLUSIONS
Multiple mechanisms appear to link obesity to stillbirth. Interventions to reduce stillbirth among obese mothers should consider targeting stillbirth due to hypertension and placental diseases-the most common causes of fetal death in this at-risk group.
Topics: Adult; Body Mass Index; Female; Humans; Hypertension; Obesity; Pennsylvania; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications; Retrospective Studies; Stillbirth; Umbilical Cord; Young Adult
PubMed: 26310539
DOI: 10.3945/ajcn.115.112250 -
Iranian Journal of Public Health Apr 2017We aimed to explore whether maternal asymptomatic hepatitis B (HB) infection effects on pre-term rupture of membranous (PROM), stillbirth, preeclampsia, eclampsia,... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
We aimed to explore whether maternal asymptomatic hepatitis B (HB) infection effects on pre-term rupture of membranous (PROM), stillbirth, preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension, or antepartum hemorrhage.
METHODS
We searched the PubMed, Scopus, and ISI web of science from 1990 to Feb 2015. In addition, electronic literature searches supplemented by searching the gray literature (e.g., conference abstracts thesis and the result of technical reports) and scanning the reference lists of included studies and relevant systematic reviews. We explored statistical heterogeneity using the, I2 and tau-squared (Tau2) statistical tests.
RESULTS
Eighteen studies were included. Preterm rupture of membranous (PROM), stillbirth, preeclampsia, eclampsia, gestational hypertension and antepartum hemorrhage were considerable outcomes in this survey. The results showed no significant association between inactive HB and these complications in pregnancy. The small amounts of -value and chi-square and large amount of I2 suggested the probable heterogeneity in this part, which we tried to modify with statistical methods such as subgroup analysis.
CONCLUSION
Inactive HB infection did not increase the risk of adversely mentioned outcomes in this study. Further, well-designed studies should be performed to confirm the results.
PubMed: 28540262
DOI: No ID Found -
JAMA Network Open Sep 2021Rates of maternal sepsis are increasing, and prior studies of maternal sepsis have focused on immediate maternal morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis during...
IMPORTANCE
Rates of maternal sepsis are increasing, and prior studies of maternal sepsis have focused on immediate maternal morbidity and mortality associated with sepsis during delivery admission. There are no data on pregnancy outcomes among individuals who recover from their infections prior to delivery.
OBJECTIVE
To describe perinatal outcomes among patients with antepartum sepsis who did not deliver during their infection hospitalization.
DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS
This retrospective cohort study was conducted using data from August 1, 2012, to August 1, 2018, at an academic referral center in San Francisco, California. Included patients were all individuals with nonanomalous, singleton pregnancies who delivered after 20 weeks' gestation during the study period. Data were analyzed from March 2020 through March 2021.
EXPOSURES
Antepartum admission for infection with clinical concern for sepsis and hospital discharge prior to delivery.
MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES
The primary outcome was a composite of perinatal outcomes associated with placental dysfunction and consisted of 1 or more of the following: fetal growth restriction, oligohydramnios, hypertensive disease of pregnancy, cesarean delivery for fetal indication, child who is small for gestational age, or stillbirth.
RESULTS
Among 14 565 patients with nonanomalous singleton pregnancies (mean [SD] age at delivery, 33.1 [5.2] years), 59 individuals (0.4%) were in the sepsis group and 14 506 individuals (99.6%) were in the nonsepsis group; 8533 individuals (59.0%) were nulliparous. Patients with sepsis, compared with patients in the reference group, were younger (mean [SD] age at delivery, 30.6 [5.7] years vs 33.1 [5.2] years; P < .001), were more likely to have pregestational diabetes (5 individuals [8.5%] vs 233 individuals [1.6%]; P = .003), and had higher mean (SD) pregestational body mass index scores (26.1 [6.1] vs 24.4 [5.9]; P = .03). In the sepsis group, the most common infections were urinary tract infections (24 patients [40.7%]) and pulmonary infections (22 patients [37.3%]). Among patients with sepsis, 5 individuals (8.5%) were admitted to the intensive care unit, the mean (SD) gestational age at infection was 24.6 (9.0) weeks, and the median (interquartile range) time from infection to delivery was 82 (42-147) days. Antepartum sepsis was associated with higher odds of placental dysfunction (21 patients [35.6%] vs 3450 patients [23.8%]; odds ratio, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.04-3.02; P = .04). On multivariable logistic regression analysis, antepartum sepsis was an independent factor associated with placental dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio, 1.88; 95% CI, 1.10-3.23; P = .02) after adjusting for possible confounders.
CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE
This study found that pregnancies complicated by antepartum sepsis were associated with higher odds of placental dysfunction. These findings suggest that increased antenatal surveillance should be considered for these patients.
Topics: Adult; California; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Male; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious; Pregnancy Outcome; Prenatal Care; Stillbirth
PubMed: 34477848
DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.24109 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Dec 2021(1) Background: Across Europe, the incidence of antepartum stillbirth varies greatly, partly because of heterogeneous definitions regarding gestational weeks and...
(1) Background: Across Europe, the incidence of antepartum stillbirth varies greatly, partly because of heterogeneous definitions regarding gestational weeks and differences in legislation. With this study, we sought to provide a comprehensive overview on the demographics of antepartum stillbirth in Austria, defined as non-iatrogenic fetal demise ≥22 gestational weeks (/40). (2) Methods: We conducted a population-based study on epidemiological characteristics of singleton antepartum stillbirth in Austria between January 2008 and December 2020. Data were derived from the validated Austrian Birth Registry. (3) Results: From January 2008 through December 2020, the antepartum stillbirth rate ≥20/40 was 3.10, ≥22/40 3.14, and ≥24/40 2.83 per 1000 births in Austria. The highest incidence was recorded in the federal states of Vienna, Styria, and Lower and Upper Austria, contributing to 71.9% of all stillbirths in the country. In the last decade, significant fluctuations in incidence were noted: from 2011 to 2012, the rate significantly declined from 3.40 to 3.07‰, whilst it significantly increased from 2.76 to 3.49‰ between 2019 and 2020. The median gestational age of antepartum stillbirth in Austria was 33 (27-37) weeks. Stillbirth rates ≤26/40 ranged from 164.98 to 334.18‰, whilst the lowest rates of 0.58-8.4‰ were observed ≥36/40. The main demographic risk factors were maternal obesity and low parity. (4) Conclusions: In Austria, the antepartum stillbirth rate has remained relatively stable at 2.83-3.10 per 1000 births for the last decade, despite a significant decline in 2012 and an increase in 2020.
PubMed: 34945123
DOI: 10.3390/jcm10245828 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Dec 2017Antepartum stillbirth is often preceded by detectable signs of fetal compromise, including changes in fetal heart rate and movement. It is hypothesized that continuous... (Review)
Review
INTRODUCTION
Antepartum stillbirth is often preceded by detectable signs of fetal compromise, including changes in fetal heart rate and movement. It is hypothesized that continuous fetal monitoring could detect these signs more accurately and objectively than current forms of fetal monitoring and allow for timely intervention. This systematic review aimed to explore available evidence on women's experiences of continuous fetal monitoring to investigate its acceptability before clinical implementation and to inform clinical studies.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Systematic searching of four electronic databases (Embase, PsycINFO, MEDLINE and CINAHL), using key terms defined by initial scoping searches, identified a total of 35 studies. Following title and abstract screening by two independent researchers, five studies met the inclusion criteria. Studies were not excluded based on language, methodology or quality assessment. An integrative methodology was used to synthesize qualitative and quantitative data together.
RESULTS
Forms of continuous fetal monitoring used included Monica AN24 monitors (n = 4) and phonocardiography (n = 1). Four main themes were identified: practical limitations of the device, negative emotions, positive perceptions, and device implementation. Continuous fetal monitoring was reported to have high levels of participant satisfaction and was preferred by women to intermittent cardiotocography.
CONCLUSION
This review suggests that continuous fetal monitoring is accepted by women. However, it has also highlighted both the paucity and heterogeneity of current studies and suggests that further research should be conducted into women's experiences of continuous fetal monitoring before such devices can be used clinically.
Topics: Female; Fetal Monitoring; Humans; Patient Acceptance of Health Care; Pregnancy
PubMed: 28902389
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.13231