Maternal risk factors associated with fetal death during antenatal care in low-resource tertiary hospitals

BACKGROUND: Data on maternal characteristics that could predict antepartum fetal death in women receiving antenatal care in resource-constrained settings are limited. Aims: To identify maternal sociodemographic and clinical risk factors for antepartum fetal death among women receiving antenatal care in a developing country setting. METHODS: Case-control analyses of risk factors in the occurrence of singleton fetal death before labour at two university hospitals in south-west Nigeria over 4-5 years. A total of 46 cases and 184 controls were compared for 31 sociodemographic and clinical risk factors. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to determine independent risk factors. Level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: The incidence of antepartum fetal death among women receiving antenatal care was 10.8 per 1000 total births during the period. Significant risk factors at univariate level include proteinuria, pregnancy-induced hypertension, pre-existing hypertension, reduced weight gain per week, previous antepartum fetal death, antepartum haemorrhage, previous miscarriage, symphysiofundal height-gestational age disparity = 4 cm and perception of reduced fetal movements. The independent risk factors were proteinuria (adjusted OR 4.23, CI: 1.57-11.42), pregnancy-induced hypertension (adjusted OR 8.24, CI: 3.01-22.51) and perceived reduction in fetal movements (adjusted OR 7.17, CI: 1.57-45.76). CONCLUSIONS: The identified factors should serve as potential targets for antenatal interventions to prevent antepartum fetal death in these institutions. Awareness of these factors should stimulate appropriate risk assessment geared towards the prevention of antepartum fetal deaths by clinicians in these centres and centres in similar setting.     

Risk factors and outcomes associated with a short umbilical cord

OBJECTIVE: To identify risk factors and outcomes associated with a short umbilical cord. METHODS: We conducted a population-based case-control study using linked Washington State birth certificate-hospital discharge data for singleton live births from 1987 to 1998 to assess the association between maternal, pregnancy, delivery, and infant characteristics and short umbilical cord. Cases (n = 3565) were infants diagnosed with a short umbilical cord. Controls (n = 14260) were randomly selected from among births without a diagnosis of short umbilical cord. RESULTS: Case mothers were less likely to be overweight (body mass index 25 or more, odds ratio [OR] 0.7; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.6, 0.8) and more likely to be primiparous (OR 1.4; 95% CI 1.3, 1.6). Case infants were more likely to be female (OR 1.3; 95% CI 1.2, 1.4), have a congenital malformation (OR 1.6; 95% CI 1.4, 1.8), and be small for their gestational age (risk ratio [RR] 1.6; 95% CI 1.4, 1.9). A short cord was associated with increased risk for maternal labor and delivery complications, including retained placenta (RR 1.6; 95% CI 1.2, 2.3) and operative vaginal delivery (RR 1.4; 95% CI 1.3, 1.5). Adverse fetal and infant outcomes in cases included fetal distress (RR 1.8; 95% CI 1.6, 2.1) and death within the first year of life among term infants (RR 2.4; 95% CI 1.2, 4.6). CONCLUSION: Modifiable risk factors associated with the development of a short cord were not identified. Case mothers and infants are more likely to experience labor and delivery complications. Term case infants had a 2-fold increased risk of death, which suggests closer postpartum monitoring of these infants.     

Interaction between risk factors for fetal growth retardation associated with abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies

BACKGROUND: The role of antenatal risk factors associated with the occurrence of fetal growth restriction complicated by abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies has not yet been studied extensively. We evaluated the role and the interactions of antenatal antecedents of fetal growth restriction complicated by abnormal umbilical artery end-diastolic velocities. METHODS: We compared antenatal variables in 183 pregnancies complicated by fetal growth retardation and abnormal umbilical artery Doppler studies and 549 appropriately grown fetuses with normal end-diastolic velocity waveform in the umbilical artery. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the association between antenatal variables and fetal growth retardation and to test for interaction. RESULTS: In logistic models, increasing maternal age [odds ratio (OR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.11], nulliparity (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.37-3.5), smoking during pregnancy (OR 2.56, 95% CI 1.56-4.22), preeclampsia (OR 27.5, 95% CI 15.1-49.9), first-trimester hemorrhage (OR 2.25, 95% CI 1.32-3.82) and low (< 0.2 kg/week) weight gain in pregnancy (OR 3.48, 95% CI 1.71-3.05) were significantly associated with an increased risk of fetal growth restriction complicated by abnormal Doppler studies. These risk factors were also significantly correlated with the occurrence of absent/reversed end-diastolic blood flow in the umbilical artery. Maternal smoking during pregnancy interacted negatively with preeclampsia but positively with a low weight gain in pregnancy. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study have shown that antenatal risk factors for intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR) complicated by abnormal Doppler studies are similar to those associated with the birth of a small-for-gestational-age infant. Preeclampsia, maternal smoking and low weight gain in pregnancy play a significant causal role in the origin of fetal growth restriction associated with abnormal uteroplacental blood flow.     

Determinants of unexplained antepartum fetal deaths

OBJECTIVE: To assess fetal, maternal, and pregnancy-related determinants of unexplained antepartum fetal death. METHODS: We conducted a hospital-based cohort study of 84,294 births weighing 500 g or more from 1961-1974 and 1978-1996. Unexplained fetal deaths were defined as fetal deaths occurring before labor without evidence of significant fetal, maternal, or placental pathology. RESULTS: One hundred ninety-six unexplained antepartum fetal deaths accounted for 27.2% of 721 total fetal deaths. Two thirds of the unexplained fetal deaths occurred after 35 weeks' gestation. The following factors were independently associated with unexplained fetal death: maternal prepregnancy weight greater than 68 kg (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.9; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.85, 4.68), birth weight ratio (defined as ratio of birth weight to mean weight for gestational age) between 0.75 and 0.85 (OR 2.77; 95% CI 1.48, 5.18) or over 1.15 (OR 2.36; 95% CI 1.26, 4.44), fewer than four antenatal visits in women whose fetuses died at 37 weeks or later (OR 2.21; 95% CI 1.08, 4.52), primiparity (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.26, 2.40), parity of three or more (OR 2.01; 95% CI 1.26, 3.20), low socioeconomic status (OR 1.59; 95% CI 1.14, 2.22), cord loops (OR 1.75; 95% CI 1.04, 2.97) and, for the 1978-1996 period only, maternal age 40 years or more (OR 3.69; 95% CI 1.28, 10.58). Trimester of first antenatal visit, low maternal weight, postdate pregnancy, fetal-to-placental weight ratio, fetal sex, previous fetal death, previous abortion, cigarette smoking, and alcohol use were not significantly associated with unexplained fetal death. CONCLUSION: In this study, we identified several factors associated with an increased risk of unexplained fetal death.     

Epidemiology of fetal death in Latin America

BACKGROUND: To identify risk factors associated with fetal death, and to measure the rate and the risk of fetal death in a large cohort of Latin American women. METHODS: We analyzed 837,232 singleton births recorded in the Perinatal Information System Database of the Latin American Center for Perinatology and Human Development (CLAP) between 1985 and 1997. The risk factors analyzed included fetal factors and maternal sociodemographic, obstetric, and clinical characteristics. Adjusted relative risks were obtained, after adjustment for potential confounding factors, through multiple logistic regression models based on the method of generalized estimating equations. RESULTS: There were 14,713 fetal deaths (rate=17.6 per 1000 births). The fetal death risk increased exponentially as pregnancy advanced. Thirty-seven percent of all fetal deaths occurred at term, and 64% were antepartum. The main risk factors associated with fetal death were lack of antenatal care (adjusted relative risk [aRR]=4.26; 95% confidence interval, 3.84-4.71) and small for gestational age (aRR=3.26; 95% CI, 3.13-3.40). In addition, the risk of death during the intrapartum period was almost tenfold higher for fetuses in noncephalic presentations. Other risk factors associated with stillbirth were: third trimester bleeding, eclampsia, chronic hypertension, preeclampsia, syphilis, gestational diabetes mellitus, Rh isoimmunization, interpregnancy interval<6 months, parity > or =4, maternal age > or =35 years, illiteracy, premature rupture of membranes, body mass index > or =29.0, maternal anemia, previous abortion, and previous adverse perinatal outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: There are several preventable factors that should be dealt with in order to reduce the gap in fetal mortality between Latin America and developed countries.     

Unexplained antepartum fetal deaths: what are the determinants?

Objective The objective was to assess fetal, antenatal, and pregnancy determinants of unexplained antepartum fetal death.Methods This is a hospital-based cohort study of 34,394 births weighing 500 g or more from January 1995 to December 2002. Unexplained fetal deaths were defined as fetal deaths occurring before labor, without evidence of significant fetal, maternal or placental pathology.Results Ninety-eight unexplained antepartum fetal deaths accounted for 27.2% of 360 total fetal deaths. Two-thirds of these deaths occurred after 36 weeks gestation. The following factors are independently associated with unexplained fetal deaths: primiparity (OR 1.74; 95% CI 1.21, 2.86); parity of five or more (OR 1.19; 95% CI 1.26, 3.26); low socioeconomic status (OR 1.22; 95% CI 1.14, 2.86); maternal age 40 years or more (OR 3.62; 95% CI 1.22, 4.52); maternal age of 18 years or less (OR 1.79; 95% CI 0.82, 2.89); maternal prepregnancy weight greater than 70 kg (OR 2.20; 95% CI 1.85, 3.68); fewer than three antenatal visits in women whose fetuses died at 31 weeks or more (OR 1.11; 95% CI 1.08, 2.48); birth weight ratio (defined as ratio of birth weight to mean birth weight for gestational age) between 0.85 and 0.94 (OR 1.77; 95% CI 1.28, 4.18) or over 1.45 (OR 2.92; 95% CI 1.75, 3.21); trimester of first antenatal visit. Previous fetal death, previous abortion, cigarette smoking, fetal sex, low maternal weight, fetal-to-placenta weight, and post date pregnancy were not significantly associated with unexplained fetal deaths.Conclusion Several factors were identified that are associated with an increased risk of unexplained fetal deaths.     

Umbilical cord prolapse and perinatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVES: To determine obstetric risk factors and perinatal outcomes of pregnancies complicated by umbilical cord prolapse. METHODS: A population-based study was performed comparing all deliveries complicated by cord prolapse to deliveries without this complication. Statistical analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression models. RESULTS: Prolapse of the umbilical cord complicated 0.4% (n=456) of all deliveries included in the study (n=121,227). Independent risk factors for cord prolapse identified by a backward, stepwise multivariate logistic regression model were: malpresentation (OR=5.1; 95% CI 4.1-6.3), hydramnios (OR=3.0; 95% CI 2.3-3.9), true knot of the umbilical cord (OR=3.0; 95% CI 1.8-5.1), preterm delivery (OR=2.1; 95% CI 1.6-2.8), induction of labor (OR=2.2; 95% CI 1.7-2.8), grandmultiparity (>five deliveries, OR=1.9; 95% CI 1.5-2.3), lack of prenatal care (OR=1.4; 95% CI 1.02-1.8), and male gender (OR=1.3; 95% CI 1.1-1.6). Newborns delivered after umbilical cord prolapse graded lower Apgar scores, less than 7, at 5 min (OR=11.9, 95% CI 7.9-17.9), and had longer hospitalizations (mean 5.4+/-3.5 days vs. 2.9+/-2.1 days; P<0.001). Moreover, higher rates of perinatal mortality were noted in the cord prolapse group vs. the control group (OR=6.4, 95% CI 4.5-9.0). Using a multiple logistic regression model controlling for possible confounders, such as preterm delivery, hydramnios, etc., umbilical cord prolapse was found to be an independent contributing factor to perinatal mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Prolapse of the umbilical cord is an independent risk factor for perinatal mortality.     

Socio-economic, demographic and obstetric risk factors for late fetal death of unknown etiology in Lithuania: a case--referent study

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between third trimester unexplained prelabor fetal deaths and various socio-economic, demographic and obstetric factors in Lithuania. METHODS: A case-referent study on 58 women with third trimester fetal death and 116 women with live fetus at term was carried out. Inclusion criteria for women in the first group (cases) were: prelabor fetal death of unknown etiology, singleton pregnancy >26 weeks of gestation and intact fetal membranes. For each case two referent women were recruited, admitted during the same period in active phase of labor at term (>37 weeks of gestation) with intact fetal membranes and fetus alive. Data were obtained by interview, anthropometry and by reviewing the medical records. Several potential socio-economic, demographic and obstetrical risk factors for unexplained fetal death were investigated. RESULTS: Univariate analyses determined several factors that were associated with fetal death of unknown etiology: low educational level, single marital status, low income, etc. After secondary logistic regression analysis only three independent variables remained significantly associated with otherwise unexplained stillbirth: small for gestational age fetus (OR 29.6; 95% CI 6.2-141.6), low income (OR 7.4; 95% CI 3.1-17.6), and maternal white blood cell count more than 16,000/mm3 (OR 5.4; 95% CI 1.4-21.6). Body mass index, smoking, occupation of women and other evaluated parameters were not confirmed to be significant risk factors. CONCLUSION: Small for gestational age fetus, low income and elevated maternal white blood cell count are factors significantly associated with late prelabor fetal death in Lithuania.     

Assessment of risk factors for stillbirth among pregnant women in Jamaica.

A case - control study was conducted to assess the risk factors of stillbirth among pregnant women in Jamaica. A total of 314 women participated (160 with stillborn babies and 154 with live-born babies). A questionnaire designed to collect information on sociodemographic characteristics, antenatal care, medical and sexually transmitted disease (STD) history, method of delivery and infant birth and health status was administered to each woman. Medical records were reviewed to verify medical history. Six variables were found to be significant predictors of stillbirth by multivariate logistic regression. Low birth weight (OR = 4.3, CI = 2.4 - 7.7), complications during pregnancy or delivery (OR = .19, CI = 0.09 - 0.41), method of delivery (caesarean section; OR = 7.2, CI = 1.6 - 33.2), number of living children (OR = 0.54, CI = 0.40 - 0.73), number of antenatal visits (less than three; OR = 2.0, CI = 1.3 - 3.1), and presence of unfavourable and /or adverse fetal outcome (OR = 4.0, CI = 1.8 - 9.2) were found to be associated with stillbirth. These findings have important implications in establishing policies for prenatal care in Jamaica.     

The influence of interpregnancy interval on the subsequent risk of stillbirth and early neonatal death

OBJECTIVE: To study whether interpregnancy interval is associated with increased risks of stillbirth and early neonatal death and whether this possible association is confounded by maternal characteristics and previous reproductive history. METHODS: In a Swedish nationwide study of 410,021 women's first and second singleton deliveries between 1983 and 1997, we investigated the influence of interpregnancy interval on the subsequent risks of stillbirth and early neonatal death. Odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) estimated using unconditional logistic regression were adjusted for maternal characteristics and previous pregnancy outcome categorized into stillbirth, early neonatal death, preterm, or small for gestational age delivery. RESULTS: Compared with interpregnancy intervals between 12 and 35 months, very short interpregnancy intervals (0-3 months) were, in the univariate analyses, associated with increased risks of stillbirth and early neonatal death (crude OR 1.9; 95% CI 1.3, 2.7; and 1.8; 1.2, 2.8, respectively). However, after adjusting for maternal characteristics and previous reproductive history, women with interpregnancy intervals of 0 to 3 months were not at increased risks of stillbirth (adjusted OR 1.3; 95% CI 0.8, 2.1) or early neonatal death (adjusted OR 0.9; 95% CI 0.5, 1.6). Women with interpregnancy intervals of 72 months and longer were at increased risk of stillbirth (adjusted OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.1, 2.1) and possibly early neonatal death (adjusted OR 1.3; 95% CI 0.9, 2.1). CONCLUSION: Short interpregnancy intervals appear not to be causally associated with increased risk of stillbirth and early neonatal death, whereas long interpregnancy intervals were associated with increased risk of stillbirth and possibly early neonatal death.     

子痫前期患者胎盘早剥发病危险因素分析

目的 探讨子痫前期患者胎盘早剥发病的危险因素.方法 对1994年1月至2008年12月的15年间,在北京大学第三医院住院并分娩的219例患者的临床资料进行回顾性分析,根据病情分为3组:子痫前期早剥组,52例,为重度子痫前期发生胎盘早剥的患者;子痫前期组,130例,为重度子痫前期未发生胎盘早剥的患者;原因不明早剥组,37例,为非子痫前期发生胎盘早剥的患者.选择同期无并发症的正常分娩产妇178例为对照组(按1∶2病例对照研究方法选择).采用单因素及多因素回归分析方法,分析子痫前期患者胎盘早剥的发病危险因素.结果 (1)与对照组比较,单因素分析结果显示,孕次、产次、子痫前期病史、中晚期妊娠丢失史、自身免疫性疾病史、慢性高血压病史、此次孕期无规律产前检查、胎儿生长受限(FGR)及脐动脉收缩期最大血流速度(S)与舒张末期血流速度(D)的比值(S/D)异常是子痫前期患者胎盘早剥发病的危险因素;多因素回归分析显示,孕期无规律产前检查(OR=45.348,95%CI为17.096～120.288,P=0.000)、FGR(OR=27.087,95%CI为5.585～131.363,P=0.000)及中晚期妊娠丢失史(OR=16.068,95% CI为1.698～152.029,P=0.015)是子痫前期患者胎盘早剥发病的独立危险因素.(2)与子痫前期组比较,子痫前期病史(OR=3.715,95% CI为1.096～12.596,P=0.035)及孕期无规律产前检查(OR=2.509,95%CI为1.173～5.370,P=0.018)是子痫前期患者胎盘早剥发病的独立危险因素.结论 孕期无规律产前检查、子痫前期病史、中晚期妊娠丢失史及FGR是影响子痫前期患者胎盘早剥发病的危险因素.     

The umbilical coiling index in complicated pregnancy

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate umbilical cord coiling in pregnancies with adverse outcome. STUDY DESIGN: Umbilical cords and hospital records of 565 consecutive cases with an indication for histological examination of the placenta were studied. The umbilical coiling index (UCI) was determined as the number of complete coils divided by the length of the cord in centimeters, by an observer blinded for pregnancy outcome. Data on obstetric history and pregnancy outcome of each case were obtained from the hospital records. We calculated odds ratios and their 95% confidence interval to evaluate the strength of associations between pregnancy outcome and abnormal cord coiling. RESULTS: Fetal death (OR 4.09, 95% CI 2.22-7.55), chorioamnionitis (OR 1.77, 95% CI 1.09-2.88), fetal structural or chromosomal abnormalities (OR 1.78, 95% CI 1.08-2.95), and lower Apgar score at 5 min (p=0.03) were associated with undercoiling (UCI below the 10th percentile, using reference values from uncomplicated pregnancies). Fetal death (OR 3.74, 95% CI 1.89-7.40), iatrogenic preterm delivery (OR 1.91, 95% CI 1.04-3.49), umbilical arterial pH<7.05 (OR 3.63, 95% CI 1.44-9.17), fetal structural or chromosomal abnormalities (OR 1.79, 95% CI 1.01-3.16), thrombosis in fetal placental vessels (OR 2.64, 95% CI 1.37-5.06), chronic fetal hypoxia/ischemia (OR 1.82, 95% CI 1.09-3.05), and lower weight for gestational age (p=0.01) were associated with overcoiling (UCI above the 90th percentile). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm that adverse perinatal outcome is associated with both undercoiling and overcoiling of the umbilical cord.     

Stillbirth and infant mortality among Hispanic singletons, twins, and triplets in the United States

OBJECTIVE: We estimate the impact of increasing fetal number on fetal and infant mortality among Hispanic mothers. METHODS: Retrospective cohort study involving singletons, twins, and triplets delivered in the United States from 1995 through 2000, except for the analysis on infant mortality in singletons (1995 through 1999). Main outcome measures were stillbirth (> or = 20 weeks) and infant mortality (< 365 days). RESULTS: A total of 37,489,600 individual births were reviewed, consisting of 36,840,704 singletons, 613,930 twins, and 34,966 triplets. Hispanics accounted for 6,848,027 (18.6%) singletons, 85,887 (14.0%) individual twins, and 2,725 (7.8%) individual triplets. Among singletons, stillbirth (odds ratio [OR] 0.91, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.90-0.92) and infant mortality (OR 0.85, 95% CI 0.84-0.86) were both lower in Hispanics than in whites. Among twins, Hispanics had a lower risk for infant mortality (OR 0.93, 95% CI 0.88-0.97) but a comparable risk for stillbirth (OR 1.06, 95% CI 0.98-1.13). Although the risk for infant mortality in Hispanic triplets was comparable to that of whites (OR 1.20, 95% CI 0.94-1.54), Hispanic triplets had a 50% higher likelihood of dying in utero (OR 1.50, 95% CI 1.06-2.14). CONCLUSION: Although Hispanic infants generally show better or comparable survival indices compared with whites, the risk for fetal and infant death in Hispanics increases in fetal number in a dose-dependent fashion, thereby obliterating the Hispanic advantage. The elevated risk for stillbirth among Hispanic triplets is particularly noteworthy and underscores the need for caution in making generalizations of favorable birth outcomes in Hispanics.     

Umbilical coiling index in normal and complicated pregnancies

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the relation between undercoiling and overcoiling of the umbilical cord and adverse pregnancy outcome. METHODS: Umbilical cords and hospital records of 885 patients were studied in a cross-sectional study design. The umbilical coiling index was determined as the number of complete coils divided by the length of the cord in centimeters, blinded for pregnancy outcome. Obstetric history and pregnancy outcome of each patient were obtained from hospital records, blinded for the umbilical coiling index. Odds ratios and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated to evaluate associations between undercoiling and overcoiling and adverse pregnancy outcome, using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Undercoiling (umbilical coiling index below the 10th percentile, using references values from uncomplicated pregnancies) was associated with fetal death (odds ratio [OR] 3.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.48-7.63), spontaneous preterm delivery (OR 2.16, 95% CI 1.34-3.48), trisomies (OR 5.79, 95% CI 2.07-16.24), low Apgar score at 5 minutes (OR 3.14, 95% CI 1.47-6.70), velamentous cord insertion (OR 3.00, 95% CI 1.16-7.76), single umbilical artery (OR 3.68, 95% CI 1.26-10.79), and dextral coiling (OR 1.80, 95% CI 1.02-3.17). Overcoiling (umbilical coiling index above the 90th percentile) was associated with asphyxia (OR 4.16, 95% CI 1.30-13.36), umbilical arterial pH < 7.05 (OR 2.91, 95% CI 1.05-8.09), small for gestational age infants (OR 2.10, 95% CI 1.01-4.36), trisomies (OR 9.26, 95% CI 2.84-30.2), single umbilical artery (OR 8.25, 95% CI 2.60-26.12), and sinistral coiling (OR 4.30, 95% CI 1.52-12.2). CONCLUSION: Undercoiling and overcoiling of the umbilical cord are associated with increased risk for adverse perinatal outcome.     

Suboptimal care in stillbirths - a retrospective audit study

BACKGROUND: Stillbirth rates have decreased radically over the last decades. One reason for this is improved perinatal care. The aim of this study was to explore whether sub-optimal factors in stillbirths were more frequent among non-western than western women. METHODS: Population-based perinatal audit of 356 stillbirths after gestational week 23, in 2 Norwegian counties during 1998-2003 (4.2 per 1,000 deliveries); of these 31% were born to non-western women. By audit, the stillbirths were attributed to optimal or sub-optimal care factors. Multivariate methods were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: Sub-optimal factors were identified in 37% of the deaths. When compared to western women, non-western women had an increased risk of stillbirth (OR: 2.2; 95% CI: 1.3-3.8), and an increased risk of sub-optimal care (OR: 2.4; 95% CI: 1.5-3.9). More often, non-western women received sub-optimal obstetric care (p<0.001), as e.g. failure to act on non-reassuring fetal status or incorrect assessment of labour progression. A common failure in antenatal care for both groups was unidentified or inadequate management of intrauterine growth restriction or decreased fetal movements. Non-western women were less prone to attend the program for antenatal care or to take the consequences of recommendations from health professionals. Inadequate communication was documented in 47% of non-western mothers; an interpreter was used in 29% of these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Non-western women constituted a risk group for sub-optimal care factors in stillbirths. Possibilities for improvements include a reduction of language barriers, better identification and management of growth restriction for both origin groups, and adequate intervention in complicated vaginal births; with increased vigilance towards non-western women.     

Changing childbirth: lessons from an Australian survey of 1336 women

Objective To investigate the views and experiences of care in labour and birth of a representative sample
Design Cross-sectional survey mailed to women 6–7 months after giving birth.
Population All women who gave birth in a two week period in Victoria, Australia in September 1993, except those who had a stillbirth or neonatal death.
Results After adjusting for parity, the risk status of the pregnancy, and social and obstetric factors, specific aspects of care with the greatest negative impact on the overall rating of intrapartum care were: caregivers perceived as unhelpful (midwives: adjusted OR 12.03 [95% CI 7–8–1 8.1, doctors: adjusted OR 6.76 [95% CI 4.–10.31); and having an active say in decisions only sometimes, rarely or not at all (adjusted OR 8.0 [95% CI 4.–16–11). In a separate regression analysis including parity, risk status, obstetric and social factors, but not specific aspects of care, factors associated with dissatisfaction with intrapartum care included participation in a shared antenatal care programme (adjusted OR 1.9 [95% CI 1.–3.1) and being of nonEnglish speaking background (adjusted OR 1.0 [95% CI 1.–2.1). The following factors lowered the odds of dissatisfaction: attending a birth centre (adjusted OR 0.34 [95% CI 0.–1.]) and knowing the midwives before going into labour (adjusted OR 0.8 [95% CI 0.–0.]).
Conclusion The survey demonstrates the potential for 'new' models of care to have either positive or negative effects on women's experiences of care. Evaluation of innovations in perinatal care taking into account women's views is a prerequisite for improvements in maternity care. of women who gave birth in Victoria, Australia in 1993.     

Obstetric and neonatal outcomes in grand multiparity

OBJECTIVE: To compare the incidence of antenatal and intrapartum complications and neonatal outcomes among grand multiparas with age-matched multiparas. METHODS: Six hundred twenty-one grand multiparas (para more than 4) women were prospectively compared with 621 age-matched multiparous (para 2-4) controls. RESULTS: Grand multiparity was associated with low socioeconomic status and education (odds ratio [OR]6.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 4.5, 9.0), poorer prenatal care (OR 3.1; 95% CI 1.5, 6.1), smoking (OR 2.2; 95% CI 1.5, 3.2), and alcohol consumption (OR 9.0; 95% CI 2.1, 39.3). Grand multiparas had a higher body mass index (OR 1.5; 95% CI 1.2, 1.9) and rate of insulin-dependent gestational diabetes (OR 1.7; 95% CI 1.02, 3.1). They had more previous intrauterine (OR 4.2; 95% CI 1.5, 11.3) and perinatal deaths (OR 3.2; 95% CI 2.0, 5.0). They had fewer intrapartum complications (arrests of cervical dilatation [OR 0.19; 95% CI 0.06, 0.66], instrumental deliveries [OR 0.31; 95% CI 0.16, 0.59], and fever during labor [OR 0.47; 95% CI 0.26, 0.86]). Conditional logistic regression models found that grand multiparity was the most closely correlated factor to a previous history of fetal death (OR 4.3; 95% CI 1.6, 11.6), but it was not an independent predictor of insulin-dependent gestational diabetes mellitus (OR 1.3; 95% CI 0.75, 2.2). CONCLUSION: Grand multiparas, when compared with same-age multiparous controls, appear to have fewer intrapartum complications. However, they present several prenatal risk factors that require special antenatal care. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: II-3     

Racial Disparities in Comorbidities,Complications, and Maternal and Fetal Outcomes in Women With Preeclampsia/eclampsia

Objective: The mechanisms leading to worse outcomes in African-American (AA) women with preeclampsia/eclampsia remain unclear. Our objective was to identify racial differences in maternal comorbidities, peripartum characteristics, and maternal and fetal outcomes. Methods/Results: When compared to white women with preeclampsia/eclampsia, AA women had an increased unadjusted risk of inpatient maternal mortality (OR 3.70, 95% CI: 2.19–6.24). After adjustment for covariates, in-hospital mortality for AA women remained higher than that for white women (OR 2.85, 95% CI: 1.38–5.53), while the adjusted risk of death among Hispanic women did not differ from that for white women. We also found an increased risk of intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) among AA women. When compared to white women with preeclampsia, AA women had an increased unadjusted odds of IUFD (OR 2.78, 95% CI: 2.49–3.11), which remained significant after adjustment for covariates (adjusted OR 2.45, 95% CI: 2.14–2.82). In contrast, IUFD among Hispanic women did not differ from that for white women after adjusting for covariates. Conclusions and Relevance: Our data suggest that African-American women are more likely to have risk factors for preeclampsia and more likely to suffer an adverse outcome during peripartum care. Future research should examine whether controlling co-morbidities and other risk factors will help to alleviate racial disparities in outcomes in this cohort of women.     

Trends and risk factors of stillbirth in New Jersey 1997–2005

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to examine the trends in the rates of stillbirth by race and ethnicity and to determine the risk factors of stillbirth. Methods: We used New Jersey data (1997–2005) for live births and fetal deaths. Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate the risk of stillbirth associated with maternal risk factors and pregnancy complications. Results: The rate of stillbirth was 4.4/1000 total births (3.4 for white and 7.9 for black non-Hispanics and 4.4 for Hispanics/1000 total births). The rates of stillbirth decreased from 3.8 in 1997 to 2.7/1000 total births in 2005 for white non-Hispanics but remained unchanged for other race/ethnicity groups. Adjusted relative risks for the risk factors associated with stillbirth were 1.3 (95% CI, 1.2–1.4) for maternal age ≥ 35 years, 1.9 (95% CI, 1.7–2.1) for black non-Hispanics, 2.8 (95% CI, 2.4–3.3) for no prenatal care, 40.2 (95% CI, 36.9–43.9) for placental abruption, 5.3 (95% CI, 3.4–8.2) for eclampsia, 3.5 (95% CI, 2.8–4.3) for diabetes mellitus and 1.7 (95% CI, 1.3–2.2) for preeclampsia. Conclusion: There was a decline in the rate of stillbirth but there were persistent racial disparities with the highest rates of stillbirth for black non-Hispanics.     

Risk factors and perinatal outcomes associated with umbilical cord prolapse

Objective: To utilize infant outcomes and to identify risk factors associated with umbilical cord prolapse. Materials and methods: Birth records of 80 cases with umbilical cord prolapse and 800 randomly selected controls were reviewed retrospectively. Statistical analysis was performed using logistic regression models. Results: Prolapse of the umbilical cord complicated 0.47% (n=80) of all deliveries included in the study (n=16,874). Multiparity wase more common in patients with umbilical cord prolapse (63.8–49.4%, P=0.014). Umbilical cord prolapse occurred in breech presentation in six cases (7.5%) and in transverse presentation in three of the cases (3.8%). The occurrence of breech presentation among the control cases was 1.0% and of the transverse lie was 0.1% (P<0.001). Fetuses with umbilical cord prolapse had lower fetal weight; particularly, fetal weight less than 2,500 g was a significant risk factor (3–2.4%, P<0.001). We also found that spontaneous rupture of membranes (OR=8.93; 95%, CI=4.16–19.14), Bishop score greater than 8 (OR=5.48; 95%, CI=3.21–9.34), and polyhydramnios (OR=21.0; 95%, CI=11.4–38.7) were risk factors for umbilical cord prolapse. The newborns that were delivered after umbilical cord prolapse graded lower Apgar scores less than 7 at 5 min (6.3–1.4%, P=0.002). Conclusion: Abnormal fetal presentation, multiparity, low birth weight, prematurity, polyhydramnios, and spontaneous rupture of membranes, in particular with high Bishop scores, are risk factors for umbilical cord prolapse. Early amniotomy increases the variable decelerations and hence increases the rate of cesarean section because of fetal distress, but it may prevent pregnant women from umbilical cord prolapse, which has a high mortality rate. However, large randomized trials are needed to prove that early amniotomy decreases the incidences of umbilical cord prolapse.