Few studies have investigated international variations in the gestational age (GA) distribution of births. While preterm births (22-36 weeks GA) and early term births (37-38 weeks) are at greater ...risk of adverse health outcomes compared to full term births (39-40 weeks), it is not known if countries with high preterm birth rates also have high early term birth rates. We examined rate associations between preterm and early term births and mean term GA by mode of delivery onset.
We used routine aggregate data on the GA distribution of singleton live births from up to 34 high-income countries/regions in 1996, 2000, 2004, 2008 and 2010 to study preterm and early term births overall and by spontaneous or indicated onset. Pearson correlation coefficients were adjusted for clustering in time trend analyses.
Preterm and early term births ranged from 4.1% to 8.2% (median 5.5%) and 15.6% to 30.8% (median 22.2%) of live births in 2010, respectively. Countries with higher preterm birth rates in 2004-2010 had higher early term birth rates (r > 0.50, P < 0.01) and changes over time were strongly correlated overall (adjusted-r = 0.55, P < 0.01) and by mode of onset.
Positive associations between preterm and early term birth rates suggest that common risk factors could underpin shifts in the GA distribution. Targeting modifiable population risk factors for delivery before 39 weeks GA may provide a useful preterm birth prevention paradigm.
Introduction
Rates of severe perineal tears and episiotomies are indicators of obstetrical quality of care, but their use for international comparisons is complicated by difficulties with accurate ...ascertainment of tears and uncertainties regarding the optimal rate of episiotomies. We compared rates of severe perineal tears and episiotomies in European countries and analysed the association between these two indicators.
Material and methods
We used aggregate data from national routine statistics available in the Euro‐Peristat project. We compared rates of severe (third‐ and fourth‐degree) tears and episiotomies in 2010 by mode of vaginal delivery (n = 20 countries), and investigated time trends between 2004 and 2010 (n = 9 countries). Statistical associations were assessed with Spearman's ranked correlations (rho).
Results
In 2010 in all vaginal deliveries, rates of severe tears ranged from 0.1% in Romania to 4.9% in Iceland, and rates of episiotomies from 3.7% in Denmark to 75.0% in Cyprus. A negative correlation between the rates of episiotomies and severe tears was observed in all deliveries (rho = −0.66; p = 0.001), instrumental deliveries (rho = −0.67; p = 0.002) and non‐instrumental deliveries (rho = −0.72; p < 0.001). However there was no relation between time trends of these two indicators (rho = 0.43; p = 0.28).
Conclusions
The large variations in severe tears and episiotomies and the negative association between these indicators in 2010 show the importance of improving the assessment and reporting of tears in each country, and evaluating the impact of low episiotomy rates on the perineum.
Objective
Robson's Ten Group Classification System (TGCS) creates clinically relevant sub‐groups for monitoring caesarean birth rates. This study assesses whether this classification can be derived ...from routine data in Europe and uses it to analyse national caesarean rates.
Design
Observational study using routine data.
Setting
Twenty‐seven EU member states plus Iceland, Norway, Switzerland and the UK.
Population
All births at ≥22 weeks of gestational age in 2015.
Methods
National statistical offices and medical birth registers derived numbers of caesarean births in TGCS groups.
Main outcome measures
Overall caesarean rate, prevalence and caesarean rates in each of the TGCS groups.
Results
Of 31 countries, 18 were able to provide data on the TGCS groups, with UK data available only from Northern Ireland. Caesarean birth rates ranged from 16.1 to 56.9%. Countries providing TGCS data had lower caesarean rates than countries without data (25.8% versus 32.9%, P = 0.04). Countries with higher caesarean rates tended to have higher rates in all TGCS groups. Substantial heterogeneity was observed, however, especially for groups 5 (previous caesarean section), 6, 7 (nulliparous/multiparous breech) and 10 (singleton cephalic preterm). The differences in percentages of abnormal lies, group 9, illustrate potential misclassification arising from unstandardised definitions.
Conclusions
Although further validation of data quality is needed, using TGCS in Europe provides valuable comparator and baseline data for benchmarking and surveillance. Higher caesarean rates in countries unable to construct the TGCS suggest that effective routine information systems may be an indicator of a country's investment in implementing evidence‐based caesarean policies.
Tweetable
Many European countries can provide Robson's Ten‐Group Classification to improve caesarean rate comparisons.
Tweetable
Many European countries can provide Robson's Ten‐Group Classification to improve caesarean rate comparisons.
BackgroundStillbirth and neonatal mortality rates declined in Europe between 2004 and 2010. We hypothesised that declines might be greater for countries with higher mortality in 2004 and ...disproportionally affect very preterm infants at highest risk.MethodsData about live births, stillbirths and neonatal deaths by gestational age (GA) were collected using a common protocol by the Euro-Peristat project in 2004 and 2010. We analysed stillbirths at ≥28 weeks GA in 22 countries and live births ≥24 weeks GA for neonatal mortality in 18 countries. Per cent changes over time were assessed by calculating risk ratios (RR) for stillbirth, neonatal mortality and preterm birth rates in 2010 vs 2004. We used meta-analysis techniques to derive pooled RR using random-effects models overall, by GA subgroups and by mortality level in 2004.ResultsBetween 2004 and 2010, stillbirths declined by 17% (95% CI 10% to 23%), with a range from 1% to 39% by country. Neonatal mortality declined by 29% (95% CI 23% to 35%) with a range from 9% to 67%. Preterm birth rates did not change: 0% (95% CI −3% to 3%). Mortality declines were of a similar magnitude at all GA; mortality levels in 2004 were not associated with RRs.ConclusionsStillbirths and neonatal deaths declined at all gestational ages in countries with both high and low levels of mortality in 2004. These results raise questions about how low-mortality countries achieve continued declines and highlight the importance of improving care across the GA spectrum.
Infants from multiple pregnancies have higher rates of preterm birth, stillbirth and neonatal death and differences in multiple birth rates (MBR) exist between countries. We aimed to describe ...differences in MBR in Europe and to investigate the impact of these differences on adverse perinatal outcomes at a population level.
We used national aggregate birth data on multiple pregnancies, maternal age, gestational age (GA), stillbirth and neonatal death collected in the Euro-Peristat project (29 countries in 2010, N = 5 074 643 births). We also used European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) data on assisted conception and single embryo transfer (SET). The impact of MBR on outcomes was studied using meta-analysis techniques with random-effects models to derive pooled risk ratios (pRR) overall and for four groups of country defined by their MBR. We computed population attributable risks (PAR) for these groups.
In 2010, the average MBR was 16.8 per 1000 women giving birth, ranging from 9.1 (Romania) to 26.5 (Cyprus). Compared to singletons, multiples had a nine-fold increased risk (pRR 9.4, 95% Cl 9.1-9.8) of preterm birth (<37 weeks GA), an almost 12-fold increased risk (pRR 11.7, 95% CI 11.0-12.4) of very preterm birth (<32 weeks GA). Pooled RR were 2.4 (95% Cl 1.5-3.6) for fetal mortality at or after 28 weeks GA and 7.0 (95% Cl 6.1-8.0) for neonatal mortality. PAR of neonatal death and very preterm birth were higher in countries with high MBR compared to low MBR (17.1% (95% CI 13.8-20.2) versus 9.8% (95% Cl 9.6-11.0) for neonatal death and 29.6% (96% CI 28.5-30.6) versus 17.5% (95% CI 15.7-18.3) for very preterm births, respectively).
Wide variations in MBR and their impact on population outcomes imply that efforts by countries to reduce MBR could improve perinatal outcomes, enabling better long-term child health.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, SIK, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
International comparisons of stillbirth allow assessment of variations in clinical practice to reduce mortality. Currently, such comparisons include only stillbirths from 28 or more completed weeks ...of gestational age, which underestimates the true burden of stillbirth. With increased registration of early stillbirths in high-income countries, we assessed the reliability of including stillbirths before 28 completed weeks in such comparisons.
In this population-based study, we used national cohort data from 19 European countries participating in the Euro-Peristat project on livebirths and stillbirths from 22 completed weeks of gestation in 2004, 2010, and 2015. We excluded countries without national data for stillbirths by gestational age in these periods, or where data available were not comparable between 2004 and 2015. We also excluded those countries with fewer than 10 000 births per year because the proportion of stillbirths at 22 weeks to less than 28 weeks of gestation is small. We calculated pooled stillbirth rates using a random-effects model and changes in rates between 2004 and 2015 using risk ratios (RR) by gestational age and country.
Stillbirths at 22 weeks to less than 28 weeks of gestation accounted for 32% of all stillbirths in 2015. The pooled stillbirth rate at 24 weeks to less than 28 weeks declined from 0·97 to 0·70 per 1000 births from 2004 to 2015, a reduction of 25% (RR 0·75, 95% CI 0·65–0·85). The pooled stillbirth rate at 22 weeks to less than 24 weeks of gestation in 2015 was 0·53 per 1000 births and did not significantly changed over time (RR 0·97, 95% CI 0·80–1·16) although changes varied widely between countries (RRs 0·62–2·09). Wide variation in the percentage of all births occurring at 22 weeks to less than 24 weeks of gestation suggest international differences in ascertainment.
Present definitions used for international comparisons exclude a third of stillbirths. International consistency of reporting stillbirths at 24 weeks to less than 28 weeks suggests these deaths should be included in routinely reported comparisons. This addition would have a major impact, acknowledging the burden of perinatal death to families, and making international assessments more informative for clinical practice and policy. Ascertainment of fetal deaths at 22 weeks to less than 24 weeks should be stabilised so that all stillbirths from 22 completed weeks of gestation onwards can be reliably compared.
EU Union under the framework of the Health Programme and the Bridge Health Project.
Objective
To assess changes in caesarean section (CS) rates in Europe from 2015 to 2019 and utilise the Robson Ten Group Classification System (TGCS) to evaluate the contribution of different ...obstetric populations to overall CS rates and trends.
Design
Observational study utilising routine birth registry data.
Setting
A total of 28 European countries.
Population
Births at ≥22 weeks of gestation in 2015 and 2019.
Methods
Using a federated model, individual‐level data from routine sources in each country were formatted to a common data model and transformed into anonymised, aggregated data.
Main Outcome Measures
By country: overall CS rate. For TGCS groups (by country): CS rate, relative size, relative and absolute contribution to overall CS rate.
Results
Among the 28 European countries, both the CS rates (2015, 16.0%–55.9%; 2019, 16.0%–52.2%) and the trends varied (from −3.7% to +4.7%, with decreased rates in nine countries, maintained rates in seven countries (≤ ± 0.2) and with increasing rates in 12 countries). Using the TGCS (for 17 countries), in most countries labour induction increased (groups 2a and 4a), whereas multiple pregnancies (group 8) decreased. In countries with decreasing overall CS rates, CS tended to decrease across all TGCS groups, whereas in countries with increasing rates, CS tended to increase in most groups. In countries with the greatest increase in CS rates (>1%), the absolute contributions of groups 1 (nulliparous term cephalic singletons, spontaneous labour), 2a and 4a (induction of labour), 2b and 4b (prelabour CS) and 10 (preterm cephalic singletons) to the overall CS rate tended to increase.
Conclusions
The TGCS shows varying CS trends and rates among countries of Europe. Comparisons between European countries, particularly those with differing trends, could provide insight into strategies to reduce CS without clinical indication.
Population birth data and pandemic readiness in Europe Haidinger, Gerald; Klimont, Jeannette; Alexander, Sophie ...
BJOG : an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology,
January 2022, Letnik:
129, Številka:
2
Journal Article
Recenzirano
Odprti dostop
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic exposed multiple shortcomings in national and international capacity to respond to an infectious disease outbreak. It is essential to learn from these deficiencies to prepare ...for future epidemics. One major gap is the limited availability of timely and comprehensive population-based routine data about COVID-19's impact on pregnant women and babies. As part of the Horizon 2020 PHIRI (Population Health Information Research Infrastructure) project on the use of population data for COVID-19 surveillance, the Euro-Peristat research network investigated the extent to which routine information systems could be used to assess the effects of the pandemic by constructing indicators of maternal and child health and of COVID-19 infection. The Euro-Peristat network brings together researchers and statisticians from 31 countries to monitor population indicators of perinatal health in Europe and periodically compiles data on a set of 10 core and 20 recommended indicators
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