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Best Practice & Research. Clinical... Oct 2016The process of labour and delivery remains an unnecessary and preventable cause of death of women and babies around the world. Although the rates of maternal and... (Review)
Review
The process of labour and delivery remains an unnecessary and preventable cause of death of women and babies around the world. Although the rates of maternal and perinatal death are declining, there are large disparities between rich and poor countries, and sub-Saharan Africa has not seen the scale of decline as seen elsewhere. In many areas, maternity services remain sparse and under-equipped, with insufficient and poorly trained staff. Priorities for reducing the mortality burden are provision of safe caesarean section, prevention of sepsis and appropriate care of women in labour in line with the current best practices, appropriately and affordably delivered. A concern is that large-scale recourse to caesarean delivery has its own dangers and may present new dominant causes for maternal mortality. An area of current neglect is newborn care. However, innovative training methods and appropriate technologies offer opportunities for affordable and effective newborn resuscitation and follow-up management in low-income settings.
Topics: Birth Injuries; Cesarean Section; Delivery, Obstetric; Dystocia; Emergencies; Female; Fetal Hypoxia; Health Services Accessibility; Humans; Infant Care; Infant, Newborn; Inservice Training; Labor, Obstetric; Maternal Death; Obstetric Labor Complications; Perinatal Death; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Pregnancy; Sepsis; Simulation Training; Uterine Hemorrhage
PubMed: 27427491
DOI: 10.1016/j.bpobgyn.2016.05.012 -
PloS One 2024Neonatal birth trauma, although it has steadily decreased in industrialized nations, constitutes a significant health burden in low-resource settings. Keeping with this,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
Neonatal birth trauma, although it has steadily decreased in industrialized nations, constitutes a significant health burden in low-resource settings. Keeping with this, we sought to determine the pooled cumulative incidence (incidence proportion) of birth trauma and identify potential contributing factors in low and middle-income countries. Besides, we aimed to describe the temporal trend, clinical pattern, and immediate adverse neonatal outcomes of birth trauma. We searched articles published in the English language in the Excerpta Medica database, PubMed, Web of Science, Google, African Journals Online, Google Scholar, Scopus, and in the reference list of retrieved articles. Literature search strategies were developed using medical subject headings and text words related to the outcomes of the study. The Joana Briggs Institute quality assessment tool was employed and articles with appraisal scores of seven or more were deemed suitable to be included in the meta-analysis. Data were analyzed using the random-effect Dersimonian-Laird model. The full search identified a total of 827 articles about neonatal birth trauma. Of these, 37 articles involving 365,547 participants met the inclusion criteria. The weighted pooled cumulative incidence of birth trauma was estimated at 34 per 1,000 live births (95% confidence interval (CI) 30.5 to 38.5) with the highest incidence observed in Africa at 52.9 per 1,000 live births (95% CI 46.5 to 59.4). Being born to a mother from rural areas (odds ratio (OR), 1.61; 95% CI1.18 to 2.21); prolonged labor (OR, 5.45; 95% CI 2.30, 9.91); fetal malpresentation at delivery (OR, 4.70; 95% CI1.75 to 12.26); shoulder dystocia (OR, 6.11; 95% CI3.84 to 9.74); operative vaginal delivery (assisted vacuum or forceps extraction) (OR, 3.19; 95% CI 1.92 to 5.31); and macrosomia (OR, 5.06; 95% CI 2.76 to 9.29) were factors associated with neonatal birth trauma. In conclusion, we found a considerably high incidence proportion of neonatal birth trauma in low and middle-income countries. Therefore, early identification of risk factors and prompt decisions on the mode of delivery can potentially contribute to the decreased magnitude and impacts of neonatal birth trauma and promote the newborn's health.
Topics: Pregnancy; Infant, Newborn; Female; Humans; Developing Countries; Delivery, Obstetric; Birth Injuries; Labor, Obstetric; Infant, Newborn, Diseases
PubMed: 38512995
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298519 -
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth May 2023Caesarean section (CS) is widely perceived as protective against obstetric brachial plexus injury (BPI), but few studies acknowledge the factors associated with such...
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.
Topics: Female; Pregnancy; Humans; Cesarean Section; Brachial Plexus; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies; Case-Control Studies; Risk Factors; Paralysis; Birth Injuries; Dystocia
PubMed: 37198580
DOI: 10.1186/s12884-023-05696-1 -
British Medical Journal Feb 1979
Topics: Birth Injuries; Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Obstetrical Forceps; Pregnancy
PubMed: 761013
DOI: No ID Found -
Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine Sep 2023Functional assessments that focus on activity performance and that produce valid outcome measures for people with brachial plexus birth injury are lacking. The primary...
OBJECTIVE
Functional assessments that focus on activity performance and that produce valid outcome measures for people with brachial plexus birth injury are lacking. The primary aim of this study was to re-evaluate the internal scale validity of the Assisting Hand Assessment specifically for children and adolescents with brachial plexus birth injury. Two further aims were investigating whether the scale could be shortened for this group while maintaining psychometric quality, and exploring and presenting its item difficulty hierarchy.
DESIGN
A cross-sectional psychometric study.
SUBJECTS
A convenience sample of 105 children and adolescents (aged 18 months to 18 years, mean 6 years, 7 months, standard deviation (SD) 4 years, 4 months) from Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands with brachial plexus birth injury.
METHODS
Participants were assessed with the Assisting Hand Assessment. Data were analysed with Rasch measurement analysis.
RESULTS
The 20 Assisting Hand Assessment items together measured a unidimensional construct with high reliability (0.97) and the 4-level rating scale functioned well. Item reduction resulted in 15 items with good item fit, unidimensionality, reliability and acceptable targeting.
CONCLUSION
Assisting Hand Assessment for people with brachial plexus birth injury, called AHA-Plex, has 15 items and good internal scale validity. A unique item hierarchy for people with brachial plexus birth injury is presented.
Topics: Humans; Child; Adolescent; Cross-Sectional Studies; Reproducibility of Results; Hand; Brachial Plexus; Psychometrics; Birth Injuries
PubMed: 37752629
DOI: 10.2340/jrm.v55.15325 -
Pediatric Radiology Jan 2012For typically developing infants, the last trimester of fetal development extending into the first post-natal months is a period of rapid brain development. Infants who... (Review)
Review
For typically developing infants, the last trimester of fetal development extending into the first post-natal months is a period of rapid brain development. Infants who are born premature face significant risk of brain injury (e.g., intraventricular or germinal matrix hemorrhage and periventricular leukomalacia) from complications in the perinatal period and also potential long-term neurodevelopmental disabilities because these early injuries can interrupt normal brain maturation. Neuroimaging has played an important role in the diagnosis and management of the preterm infant. Both cranial US and conventional MRI techniques are useful in diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of preterm brain development and injury. Cranial US is highly sensitive for intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) and provides prognostic information regarding cerebral palsy. Data are limited regarding the utility of MRI as a routine screening instrument for brain injury for all preterm infants. However, MRI might provide diagnostic or prognostic information regarding PVL and other types of preterm brain injury in the setting of specific clinical indications and risk factors. Further development of advanced MR techniques like volumetric MR imaging, diffusion tensor imaging, metabolic imaging (MR spectroscopy) and functional connectivity are necessary to provide additional insight into the molecular, cellular and systems processes that underlie brain development and outcome in the preterm infant. The adult concept of the "connectome" is also relevant in understanding brain networks that underlie the preterm brain. Knowledge of the preterm connectome will provide a framework for understanding preterm brain function and dysfunction, and potentially even a roadmap for brain plasticity. By combining conventional imaging techniques with more advanced techniques, neuroimaging findings will likely be used not only as diagnostic and prognostic tools, but also as biomarkers for long-term neurodevelopmental outcomes, instruments to assess the efficacy of neuroprotective agents and maneuvers in the NICU, and as screening instruments to appropriately select infants for longitudinal developmental interventions.
Topics: Birth Injuries; Brain Injuries; Brain Mapping; Functional Neuroimaging; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Infant, Premature, Diseases; Neuroimaging
PubMed: 22395719
DOI: 10.1007/s00247-011-2239-4 -
Birth (Berkeley, Calif.) Dec 2020Fetal macrosomia is associated with negative outcomes, although less is known about how severities of macrosomia influence these outcomes. Planned community births in... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
BACKGROUND
Fetal macrosomia is associated with negative outcomes, although less is known about how severities of macrosomia influence these outcomes. Planned community births in the United States have higher rates of gestational age-adjusted macrosomia than planned hospital births, providing a novel population to examine macrosomia morbidity.
METHODS
Maternal and neonatal outcomes associated with grade 1 (4000-4499 g), grade 2 (4500-4999 g), and grade 3 (≥5000 g) macrosomia were compared to normal birthweight newborns (2500-3999 g), using data from the MANA Statistics Project-a registry of planned community births, 2012-2018 (n = 68 966). Outcomes included perineal trauma, postpartum hemorrhage, cesarean birth, neonatal birth injury, shoulder dystocia, neonatal respiratory distress, neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) stay >24 hours, and perinatal death. Logistic regressions controlled for parity and mode of birth, obesity, gestational diabetes, and preeclampsia.
RESULTS
Sixteen percent of the sample were grade 1 macrosomic, 3.3% were grade 2 macrosomic, and 0.4% were grade 3 macrosomic. Macrosomia grades 1-3 were associated in a dose-response fashion with higher odds of all outcomes, compared to non-macrosomia. The adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals for postpartum hemorrhage for grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3 macrosomia vs normal birthweight were 1.75 (1.56-1.96), 2.12 (1.70-2.63), and 5.18 (3.47-7.74), respectively. Other outcomes had similar patterns.
DISCUSSION
The adjusted odds of negative outcomes increase as grade of macrosomia increases in planned community births; results are comparable with the published literature. Pre-birth fetal weight estimation is imprecise; prenatal supports and shared decision-making processes should reflect these complexities.
Topics: Adult; Birth Injuries; Birthing Centers; Cesarean Section; Delivery, Obstetric; Female; Fetal Macrosomia; Home Childbirth; Humans; Infant; Infant Mortality; Infant, Newborn; Logistic Models; Obstetric Labor Complications; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Pregnancy; Pregnancy Outcome; Retrospective Studies; United States
PubMed: 33058197
DOI: 10.1111/birt.12506 -
PloS One 2022Globally, three fourth of neonatal deaths occur during the early neonatal period, this makes it a critical time to reduce the burden of neonatal death. The survival...
BACKGROUND
Globally, three fourth of neonatal deaths occur during the early neonatal period, this makes it a critical time to reduce the burden of neonatal death. The survival status of a newborn is determined by the individual (neonatal and maternal), and facility-level factors. Several studies were conducted in Ethiopia to assess early neonatal death; however, most of the studies had limited participants and did not well address the two main determinant factors covered in this study. In response to this gap, this study attempted to examine factors related to early neonatal death based on perinatal death surveillance data in consideration of all the possible determinants of early neonatal death.
METHODS
The national perinatal death surveillance data were used for this study. A total of 3814 reviewed perinatal deaths were included in the study. Bayesian multilevel parametric survival analysis was employed to identify factors affecting the survival of newborns during the early neonatal period. Adjusted time ratio (ATR) with 95% Bayesian credible intervals (CrI) was reported and log-likelihood was used for model comparison. Statistical significance was declared based on the non-inclusion of 1.0 in the 95% CrI.
RESULT
More than half (52.4%) of early neonatal deaths occurred within the first two days of birth. Per the final model, as gestational age increases by a week the risk of dying during the early neonatal period is reduced by 6% [ATR = 0.94,95%CrI:(0.93-0.96)]. There was an increased risk of death during the early neonatal period among neonates deceased due to birth injury as compared to neonates who died due to infection [ATR = 2.05,95%CrI:(1.30-3.32)]; however, perinates who died due to complication of an intrapartum event had a lower risk of death than perinates who died due to infection [ATR = 0.87,95%CrI:(0.83-0.90)]. As the score of delay one and delay three increases by one unit, the newborn's likelihood of surviving during the early neonatal period is reduced by 4% [ATR = 1.04,95%CrI:(1.01-1.07)] and 21% [ATR = 1.21,95%CrI:(1.15-1.27)] respectively. Neonates born from mothers living in a rural area had a higher risk of dying during the early neonatal period than their counterparts living in an urban area [ATR = 3.53,95%CrI:(3.34-3.69)]. As compared to neonates treated in a primary health facility, being treated in secondary [ATR = 1.14,95%CrI:(1.02-1.27)] and tertiary level of care [ATR = 1.15,95%CrI:(1.04-1.25)] results in a higher risk of death during the early neonatal period.
CONCLUSION
The survival of a newborn during the early neonatal period is determined by both individual (gestational age, cause of death, and delay one) and facility (residence, type of health facility and delay three) level factors. Thus, to have a positive early neonatal outcome, a tailored intervention is needed for the three major causes of death (i.e Infection, birth injury, and complications of the intrapartum period). Furthermore, promoting maternal health, improving the health-seeking behaviour of mothers, strengthening facility readiness, and narrowing down inequalities in service provision are recommended to improve the newborn's outcomes during the early neonatal period.
Topics: Bayes Theorem; Birth Injuries; Ethiopia; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Mothers; Perinatal Death; Pregnancy; Risk Factors
PubMed: 36174051
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275475 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Jul 2015Poor outcomes after breech birth might be the result of underlying conditions causing breech presentation or due to factors associated with the delivery. (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
BACKGROUND
Poor outcomes after breech birth might be the result of underlying conditions causing breech presentation or due to factors associated with the delivery.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of planned caesarean section for singleton breech presentation at term on measures of pregnancy outcome.
SEARCH METHODS
We searched the Cochrane Pregnancy and Childbirth Group's Trials Register (31 March 2015).
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised trials comparing planned caesarean section for singleton breech presentation at term with planned vaginal birth.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors independently assessed trials for inclusion and risk of bias, extracted data and checked them for accuracy.
MAIN RESULTS
Three trials (2396 participants) were included in the review. Caesarean delivery occurred in 550/1227 (45%) of those women allocated to a vaginal delivery protocol and 1060/1169 (91%) of those women allocated to planned caesarean section (average risk ratio (RR) random-effects, 1.88, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.60 to 2.20; three studies, 2396 women, evidence graded low quality). Perinatal or neonatal death (excluding fatal anomalies) or severe neonatal morbidity was reduced with a policy of planned caesarean section in settings with a low national perinatal mortality rate (RR 0.07, 95% CI 0.02 to 0.29, one study, 1025 women, evidence graded moderate quality), but not in settings with a high national perinatal mortality rate (RR 0.66, 95% CI 0.35 to 1.24, one study, 1053 women, evidence graded low quality). The difference between subgroups was significant (Test for subgroup differences: Chi² = 8.01, df = 1 (P = 0.005), I² = 87.5%). Due to this significant heterogeneity, a random-effects analysis was performed. The average overall effect was not statistically significant (RR 0.23, 95% CI 0.02 to 2.44, one study, 2078 infants). Perinatal or neonatal death (excluding fatal anomalies) was reduced with planned caesarean section (RR 0.29, 95% CI 0.10 to 0.86, three studies, 2388 women). The proportional reductions were similar for countries with low and high national perinatal mortality rates.The numbers studied were too small to satisfactorily address reductions in birth trauma and brachial plexus injury with planned caesarean section. Neither of these outcomes reached statistical significance (birth trauma: RR 0.42, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.10, one study, 2062 infants (20 events),evidence graded low quality; brachial plexus injury: RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.47, three studies, 2375 infants (nine events)).Planned caesarean section was associated with modestly increased short-term maternal morbidity (RR 1.29, 95% CI 1.03 to 1.61, three studies, 2396 women,low quality evidence). At three months after delivery, women allocated to the planned caesarean section group reported less urinary incontinence (RR 0.62, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.93, one study, 1595 women); no difference in 'any pain' (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.29, one study, 1593 women,low quality evidence); more abdominal pain (RR 1.89, 95% CI 1.29 to 2.79, one study, 1593 women); and less perineal pain (RR 0.32, 95% CI 0.18 to 0.58, one study, 1593 women).At two years, there were no differences in the combined outcome 'death or neurodevelopmental delay' (RR 1.09, 95% CI 0.52 to 2.30, one study, 920 children,evidence graded low quality); more infants who had been allocated to planned caesarean delivery had medical problems at two years (RR 1.41, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.89, one study, 843 children). Maternal outcomes at two years were also similar. In countries with low perinatal mortality rates, the protocol of planned caesarean section was associated with lower healthcare costs, expressed in 2002 Canadian dollars (mean difference -$877.00, 95% CI -894.89 to -859.11, one study, 1027 women).All of the trials included in this review had design limitations, and the GRADE level of evidence was mostly low. No studies attempted to blind the intervention, and the process of random allocation was suboptimal in two studies. Two of the three trials had serious design limitations, however these studies contributed to fewer outcomes than the large multi-centre trial with lower risk of bias.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Planned caesarean section compared with planned vaginal birth reduced perinatal or neonatal death as well as the composite outcome death or serious neonatal morbidity, at the expense of somewhat increased maternal morbidity. In a subset with 2-year follow up, infant medical problems were increased following planned caesarean section and no difference in long-term neurodevelopmental delay or the outcome "death or neurodevelopmental delay" was found, though the numbers were too small to exclude the possibility of an important difference in either direction.The benefits need to be weighed against factors such as the mother's preference for vaginal birth and risks such as future pregnancy complications in the woman's specific healthcare setting. The option of external cephalic version is dealt with in separate reviews. The data from this review cannot be generalised to settings where caesarean section is not readily available, or to methods of breech delivery that differ materially from the clinical delivery protocols used in the trials reviewed. The review will help to inform individualised decision-making regarding breech delivery. Research on strategies to improve the safety of breech delivery and to further investigate the possible association of caesarean section with infant medical problems is needed.
Topics: Birth Injuries; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies; Breech Presentation; Cesarean Section; Elective Surgical Procedures; Female; Humans; Odds Ratio; Pregnancy; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 26196961
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD000166.pub2 -
Acta Obstetricia Et Gynecologica... Feb 2021Pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m are at an increased risk of requiring planned- and unplanned cesarean deliveries (CD). The aim of this systematic... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
INTRODUCTION
Pregnant women with a body mass index (BMI) ≥40 kg/m are at an increased risk of requiring planned- and unplanned cesarean deliveries (CD). The aim of this systematic review is to compare outcomes in women with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m based on planned and actual mode of birth.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
Five databases were searched for English and French-language publications until February 2019, and all studies reporting on delivery outcomes in women with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m , stratified by planned and actual mode of birth, were included. Risk-of-bias was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale. Relative risks (RR) and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using random-effects meta-analysis.
RESULTS
Ten observational studies were included. Anticipated vaginal birth vs planned CD (5 studies, n = 2216) was associated with higher risk for postpartum hemorrhage (13.0% vs 4.1%, P < .001, numbers needed to harm (NNH = 11), I = 0%) but lower risk for wound complications (7.6% vs 14.5%, P < .001, numbers needed to treat (NNT = 15), I = 58.3%). Planned trial of labor vs repeat CD (3 studies, n = 4144) was associated with higher risk for uterine dehiscence (0.94% vs 0.42%, P = .04, NNH = 200, I = 0%), endometritis (5.1% vs 2.2%, P < .001, NNH = 35, I = 0%), prolonged hospitalization (one study, 30.3% vs 26.0%, P = .003, NNH = 23), low five-minute Apgar scores (4.9% vs 1.7%, RR 2.95 (2.03, 4.28), NNH = 30, I = 0%) and birth trauma (1.1% vs 0.2%, P < .001, NNH = 111, I = 0%). Successful vaginal birth vs intrapartum CD (n = 3625) was associated with lower risk of postpartum hemorrhage (15.1% vs 70%, P < .001, NNT = 2, I = 0%), wound complications (one study, 0% vs 4.4%, P = .007, NNT = 23), prolonged hospitalization (one study, 1.9% vs 6.7%, 0.04, NNT = 21) and low five-minute Apgar scores (one study, 1.0% vs 5.6%, P = .03, NNT = 22), but more birth trauma (5.9% vs 0.6%, P = .005, NNH = 19, I = 0%). Compared groups had dissimilar demographic characteristics. Although studies scored 6-7/9 on risk-of-bias assessment, they were at high-risk for confounding by indication.
CONCLUSIONS
Evidence from observational studies suggests clinical equipoise regarding the optimal mode of delivery in women with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m and no prior CD. This question is best answered by a randomized trial. Based on an unplanned subgroup analysis, for women with BMI ≥ 40 kg/m and prior CD, repeat CD may be associated with better clinical outcomes.
Topics: Apgar Score; Birth Injuries; Body Mass Index; Cesarean Section; Delivery, Obstetric; Endometritis; Female; Humans; Infant, Newborn; Length of Stay; Obesity, Maternal; Obesity, Morbid; Postpartum Hemorrhage; Pregnancy; Surgical Wound Dehiscence
PubMed: 32997801
DOI: 10.1111/aogs.14011