Dataset Information

Neonatal mortality in NHS maternity units by timing and mode of birth: a retrospective linked cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To compare neonatal mortality in English hospitals by time of day and day of the week according to care pathway.

Design

Retrospective cohort linking birth registration, birth notification and hospital episode data.

Setting

National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in England.

Participants

6 054 536 liveborn singleton births from 2005 to 2014 in NHS maternity units in England.

Main outcome measures

Neonatal mortality.

Results

After adjustment for confounders, there was no significant difference in the odds of neonatal mortality attributed to asphyxia, anoxia or trauma outside of working hours compared with working hours for spontaneous births or instrumental births. Stratification of emergency caesareans by onset of labour showed no difference in mortality by birth timing for emergency caesareans with spontaneous or induced onset of labour. Higher odds of neonatal mortality attributed to asphyxia, anoxia or trauma out of hours for emergency caesareans without labour translated to a small absolute difference in mortality risk.

Conclusions

The apparent 'weekend effect' may result from deaths among the relatively small numbers of babies who were coded as born by emergency caesarean section without labour outside normal working hours. Further research should investigate the potential contribution of care-seeking and community-based factors as well as the adequacy of staffing for managing these relatively unusual emergencies.

SUBMITTER: Carty L

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10277044 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

ACCESS DATA

Publications

Neonatal mortality in NHS maternity units by timing and mode of birth: a retrospective linked cohort study.

Carty Lucy L Grollman Christopher C Plachcinski Rachel R Cortina-Borja Mario M Macfarlane Alison A

BMJ open 20230613 6

<h4>Objectives</h4>To compare neonatal mortality in English hospitals by time of day and day of the week according to care pathway.<h4>Design</h4>Retrospective cohort linking birth registration, birth notification and hospital episode data.<h4>Setting</h4>National Health Service (NHS) hospitals in England.<h4>Participants</h4>6 054 536 liveborn singleton births from 2005 to 2014 in NHS maternity units in England.<h4>Main outcome measures</h4>Neonatal mortality.<h4>Results</h4>After adjustment fo ...[more]

PMID: 37311636

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Project description:BackgroundThe American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends delivery in the 39th week of pregnancy for patients with pregestational and medication-controlled gestational diabetes with consideration for earlier delivery among those with poor glucose control.ObjectiveWe sought to evaluate the impact of birth before 39 weeks' gestation exclusively for diabetes-related indications on neonatal outcomes and clinician rationale for these recommendations.Study designThis was a retrospective cohort study of all singleton, nonanomalous pregnancies complicated by diabetes. Patients were identified through an obstetrical database containing information of 90,185 births from 2011 to 2021. Patients who delivered in a given week of gestation exclusively for diabetes-related indications were compared with ongoing pregnancies. Recommended births for other obstetrical indications were excluded from the diabetes-related indications cohorts. The primary outcome was neonatal intensive care unit admission. Secondary outcomes included neonatal intensive care unit length of stay, stillbirth, neonatal death, hypoglycemia, respiratory distress syndrome, and shoulder dystocia. For all births before 39 weeks' gestation, the electronic medical records were reviewed to confirm the rationale for the intervention for a diabetes-indicated condition.ResultsFrom the 90,185 recorded births that occurred in 2011 to 2021, 4750 patients with diabetes were identified. Of those, 30.5% (n=1449) had a recommended birth for a diabetes-related indications with 2.2% of those (n=32) occurring at 36 weeks' gestation, 7.9% (n=114) at 37 weeks' gestation, 9.7% (n=141) at 38 weeks' gestation, and 63.0% (n=913) at 39 weeks' gestation. Births that occurred at 36 and 37 weeks' gestation exclusively for diabetes-related indications had higher rates of neonatal intensive care unit admission than the respective ongoing pregnancies (62.5% vs 8.7%; P<.001 and 25.4% vs 7.2%; P<.001). There was no difference in neonatal intensive care unit admission for births at 38 or 39 weeks' gestation when compared with ongoing pregnancy. For neonates born at 36 and 37 weeks' gestation in comparison with ongoing pregnancies, the median neonatal intensive care unit length of stay was 11.0 vs 2.8 days, (P<.001) and 4.4 vs 2.6 days (P=.026), respectively. There were significantly increased rates of neonatal hypoglycemia and respiratory distress syndrome among births that occurred at 36, 37, and 38 weeks' gestation when compared with ongoing pregnancies. There were no differences in the rate of stillbirth in this cohort. Primary factors cited for early birth were poor glycemic control (71.4%), recommendation by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist (38.7%), and suspected fetal macrosomia (27.9%). Overall, 46.7%, 32.8%, and 20.6% of patients had 1, 2, or ≥3 indications, respectively, listed as rationale for early birth. Overall, few objective measures were used to recommend birth before 39 weeks' gestation owing to diabetes.ConclusionIn pregnancies complicated by diabetes, early birth exclusively for diabetes-related indications was associated with increased neonatal intensive care unit admission and length of stay and with neonatal morbidity. Little objective data are documented by clinicians to support their recommendations for early birth associated with diabetes. Additional clinical guidelines are needed to define suboptimal glucose control necessitating birth before 39 weeks' gestation.

Project description:Objective To investigate the benefits and costs of implementing non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) for Down's syndrome into the NHS maternity care pathway.Design Prospective cohort study.Setting Eight maternity units across the United Kingdom between 1 November 2013 and 28 February 2015.Participants All pregnant women with a current Down's syndrome risk on screening of at least 1/1000.Main outcome measures Outcomes were uptake of NIPT, number of cases of Down's syndrome detected, invasive tests performed, and miscarriages avoided. Pregnancy outcomes and costs associated with implementation of NIPT, compared with current screening, were determined using study data on NIPT uptake and invasive testing in combination with national datasets.Results NIPT was prospectively offered to 3175 pregnant women. In 934 women with a Down's syndrome risk greater than 1/150, 695 (74.4%) chose NIPT, 166 (17.8%) chose invasive testing, and 73 (7.8%) declined further testing. Of 2241 women with risks between 1/151 and 1/1000, 1799 (80.3%) chose NIPT. Of 71 pregnancies with a confirmed diagnosis of Down's syndrome, 13/42 (31%) with the diagnosis after NIPT and 2/29 (7%) after direct invasive testing continued, resulting in 12 live births. In an annual screening population of 698 500, offering NIPT as a contingent test to women with a Down's syndrome screening risk of at least 1/150 would increase detection by 195 (95% uncertainty interval -34 to 480) cases with 3368 (2279 to 4027) fewer invasive tests and 17 (7 to 30) fewer procedure related miscarriages, for a non-significant difference in total costs (£-46 000, £-1 802 000 to £2 661 000). The marginal cost of NIPT testing strategies versus current screening is very sensitive to NIPT costs; at a screening threshold of 1/150, NIPT would be cheaper than current screening if it cost less than £256. Lowering the risk threshold increases the number of Down's syndrome cases detected and overall costs, while maintaining the reduction in invasive tests and procedure related miscarriages.Conclusions Implementation of NIPT as a contingent test within a public sector Down's syndrome screening programme can improve quality of care, choices for women, and overall performance within the current budget. As some women use NIPT for information only, the Down's syndrome live birth rate may not change significantly. Future research should consider NIPT uptake and informed decision making outside of a research setting.

Project description:BackgroundA key target of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is to eliminate preventable deaths in newborns and children under 5. This study aimed to estimate the effect of time of birth on early neonatal mortality (ENM) and low Apgar scores at 5 min (LA5) in newborns.MethodsA retrospective cohort study was conducted using vital statistics data on live births, maternal morbidity, congenital defects and perinatal mortality in Cauca-Colombia (2017-2021) excluding out-of-hospital, multiple and major defect cases. A directed acyclic graph was constructed to define the confounder adjustment set. Multivariable logistic, linear and propensity score models evaluated the effect of birth timing on neonatal outcomes, estimating crude and adjusted incidence rate ratios (IRRa).ResultsWe assessed 65 182 live births, finding similar baseline characteristics for daytime and night-time births. ENM was 0.2% (95% CI 0.19% to 0.26%) at 7 days of follow-up, absolute mortality difference 0.1% (95% CI -0.01% to 0.12%). Night-time births increased the incidence of ENM in the primary analysis IRRa 1.27 (95% CI 0.90 to 1.82), in the secondary IRRa 1.45 (95% CI 0.94 to 2.20), and in the primary and secondary sensitivity analysis, respectively, IRRa 1.48 (95% CI 1.06 to 2.07) and 1.70 (95% CI 1.16 to 2.59). LA5 was present in 0.7% (95% CI 0.60% to 0.72%) of birth, with absolute LA5 difference 0.1% (95% CI -0.02% to 0.22%). Night-time births increased the incidence of LA5 in the primary analysis IRRa 1.31 (95% CI 1.00 to 1.49), in the secondary IRRa 1.44 (95% CI 1.13 to 1.83), and in the primary and secondary sensitivity analysis, respectively, IRRa 1.31 (95% CI 1.08 to 1.59) and IRRa 1.54 (95% CI 1.23 to 1.92).ConclusionsBirth at night-time is associated with worse neonatal outcomes, ENM and low Apgar scores in Colombia's diverse population, highlighting the need for optimised prenatal care, revised work schedules and improved referral systems in maternal health.

Project description:Recent national surveys in The United Republic of Tanzania have revealed poor standards of hygiene at birth in facilities. As more women opt for institutional delivery, improving basic hygiene becomes an essential part of preventative strategies for reducing puerperal and newborn sepsis. Our collaborative research in Zanzibar provides an in-depth picture of the state of hygiene on maternity wards to inform action. Hygiene was assessed in 2014 across all 37 facilities with a maternity unit in Zanzibar. We used a mixed methods approach, including structured and semi-structured interviews, and environmental microbiology. Data were analysed according to the WHO 'cleans' framework, focusing on the fundamental practices for prevention of newborn and maternal sepsis. For each 'clean' we explored the following enabling factors: knowledge, infrastructure (including equipment), staffing levels and policies. Composite indices were constructed for the enabling factors of the 'cleans' from the quantitative data: clean hands, cord cutting, and birth surface. Results from the qualitative tools were used to complement this information.Only 49% of facilities had the 'infrastructural' requirements to enable 'clean hands', with the availability of constant running water particularly lacking. Less than half (46%) of facilities met the 'knowledge' requirements for ensuring a 'clean delivery surface'; six out of seven facilities had birthing surfaces that tested positive for multiple potential pathogens. Almost two thirds of facilities met the 'infrastructure (equipment) requirement' for 'clean cord'; however, disposable cord clamps being frequently out of stock, often resulted in the use of non-sterile thread made of fabric. This mixed methods approach, and the analytical framework based on the WHO 'cleans' and the enabling factors, yielded practical information of direct relevance to action at local and ministerial levels. The same approach could be applied to collect and analyse data on infection prevention from maternity units in other contexts.

Project description:ObjectiveTo assess implementation of the Saving Babies Lives (SBL) Care Bundle, a collection of practice recommendations in four key areas, to reduce stillbirth in England.DesignA retrospective cohort study of 463,630 births in 19 NHS Trusts in England using routinely collected electronic data supplemented with case note audit (n = 1,658), and surveys of service users (n = 2,085) and health care professionals (n = 1,064). The primary outcome was stillbirth rate. Outcome rates two years before and after the nominal SBL implementation date were derived as a measure of change over the implementation period. Data were collected on secondary outcomes and process outcomes which reflected implementation of the SBL care bundle.ResultsThe total stillbirth rate, declined from 4.2 to 3.4 per 1,000 births between the two time points (adjusted Relative Risk (aRR) 0.80, 95% Confidence Interval (95% CI) 0.70 to 0.91, P<0.001). There was a contemporaneous increase in induction of labour (aRR 1.20 (95%CI 1.18-1.21), p<0.001) and emergency Caesarean section (aRR 1.10 (95%CI 1.07-1.12), p<0.001). The number of ultrasound scans performed (aRR 1.25 (95%CI 1.21-1.28), p<0.001) and the proportion of small for gestational age infants detected (aRR 1.59 (95%CI 1.32-1.92), p<0.001) also increased. Organisations reporting higher levels of implementation had improvements in process measures in all elements of the care bundle. An economic analysis estimated the cost of implementing the care bundle at ~£140 per birth. However, neither the costs nor changes in outcomes could be definitively attributed to implementation of the SBL care bundle.ConclusionsImplementation of the SBL care bundle increased over time in the majority of sites. Implementation was associated with improvements in process outcomes. The reduction in stillbirth rates in participating sites exceeded that reported nationally in the same timeframe. The intervention should be refined to identify women who are most likely to benefit and minimise unwarranted intervention.Trial registrationThe study was registered on (NCT03231007); www.clinicaltrials.gov.

Project description:ObjectiveTo compare maternal and neonatal birth outcomes and morbidities associated with the intention to give birth in a freestanding primary level midwife-led maternity unit (PMU) or tertiary level obstetric-led maternity hospital (TMH) in Canterbury, Aotearoa/New Zealand.DesignProspective cohort study.Participants407 women who intended to give birth in a PMU and 285 women who intended to give birth at the TMH in 2010-2011. All of the women planning a TMH birth were 'low risk', and 29 of the PMU cohort had identified risk factors.Primary outcomesMode of birth, Apgar score of less than 7 at 5 min and neonatal unit admission.Secondary outcomeslabour onset, analgesia, blood loss, third stage of labour management, perineal trauma, non-pharmacological pain relief, neonatal resuscitation, breastfeeding, gestational age at birth, birth weight, severe morbidity and mortality.ResultsWomen who planned a PMU birth were significantly more likely to have a spontaneous vaginal birth (77.9%vs62.3%, adjusted OR (AOR) 1.61, 95% CI 1.08 to 2.39), and significantly less likely to have an instrumental assisted vaginal birth (10.3%vs20.4%, AOR 0.59, 95% CI 0.37 to 0.93). The emergency and elective caesarean section rates were not significantly different (emergency: PMU 11.6% vs TMH 17.5%, AOR 0.88, 95% CI 0.55 to 1.40; elective: PMU 0.7% vs TMH 2.1%, AOR 0.34, 95% CI 0.08 to 1.41). There were no significant differences between the cohorts in rates of 5 min Apgar score of <7 (2.0%vs2.1%, AOR 0.82, 95% CI 0.27 to 2.52) and neonatal unit admission (5.9%vs4.9%, AOR 1.44, 95% CI 0.70 to 2.96). Planning to give birth in a primary unit was associated with similar or reduced odds of intrapartum interventions and similar odds of all measured neonatal well-being indicators.ConclusionsThe results of this study support freestanding midwife-led primary-level maternity units as physically safe places for well women to plan to give birth, with these women having higher rates of spontaneous vaginal births and lower rates of interventions and their associated morbidities than those who planned a tertiary hospital birth, with no differences in neonatal outcomes.

Project description:IntroductionAntenatal depression is highly prevalent and is associated with negative birth and neonatal outcomes. However, the mechanisms and causality behind these associations remain poorly understood as they are varied. Given the variability in whether associations are present, there is need to have context-specific data to understand the complex factors that go into these associations. This study aimed to assess the associations between antenatal depression and birth and neonatal outcomes among women attending maternity care in Harare, Zimbabwe.MethodsWe followed 354 pregnant women in second or third trimester, attending antenatal care services in two randomly selected clinics in Harare, Zimbabwe. Antenatal depression was assessed using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV. Birth outcomes included birth weight, gestational age at delivery, mode of delivery, Apgar score, and initiation of breastfeeding within one-hour postdelivery. Neonatal outcomes at six weeks postdelivery included infant's weight, height, illness, feeding methods and maternal postnatal depressive symptoms. The association between antenatal depression and categorical and continuous outcomes were assessed by logistic regression and point-biserial correlation coefficient, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression determined the confounding effects on statistically significant outcomes.ResultsPrevalence of antenatal depression was 23.7%. It was associated with low birthweight [AOR = 2.30 (95% CI: 1.08-4.90)], exclusive breastfeeding [AOR = 0.42 (95%CI: 0.25-0.73)] and postnatal depressive symptoms [AOR = 4.99 (95%CI: 2.81-8.85)], but not with any other birth or neonatal outcomes measured.ConclusionsThe prevalence of antenatal depression in this sample is high with significant associations demonstrated for birth weight, maternal postnatal depressive symptoms and infant feeding methods Effective management of antenatal depression is thus crucial to the promotion of maternal and child health.

Dataset Information

Neonatal mortality in NHS maternity units by timing and mode of birth: a retrospective linked cohort study.

Objectives

Design

Setting

Participants

Main outcome measures

Results

Conclusions

Publications

Neonatal mortality in NHS maternity units by timing and mode of birth: a retrospective linked cohort study.

Similar Datasets

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