OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to investigate trends in birth asphyxia and perinatal mortality in the Netherlands over the last decade. METHODS: A nationwide cohort study among women with a term singleton pregnancy. We assessed trends in birth asphyxia in relation to obstetric interventions for fetal distress. Birth asphyxia was defined as a 5-minute Apgar score < 7 (any asphyxia) or 5-minute Apgar score < 4 (severe asphyxia). Perinatal mortality was defined as mortality during delivery or within 7 days after birth. Multivariable analyses were used to adjust for confounding factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of birth asphyxia was 0.85% and severe asphyxia 0.16%. Between 1999 and 2010 birth asphyxia decreased significantly with approximately 6% (p = 0.03) and severe asphyxia with 11% (p = 0.03). There was no significant change in perinatal mortality rate (0.98 per 1000 live births). Simultaneously the referral rate from primary to secondary care during labor increased from 20% to 24% (p < 0.0001) and the intervention rate for fetal distress from 5.9% to 7.7% (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In the Netherlands, the risk of birth asphyxia among term singletons has slightly decreased over the last decade; without a significant change in perinatal mortality.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of the present study is to investigate trends in birth asphyxia and perinatal mortality in the Netherlands over the last decade. METHODS: A nationwide cohort study among women with a term singleton pregnancy. We assessed trends in birth asphyxia in relation to obstetric interventions for fetal distress. Birth asphyxia was defined as a 5-minute Apgar score < 7 (any asphyxia) or 5-minute Apgar score < 4 (severe asphyxia). Perinatal mortality was defined as mortality during delivery or within 7 days after birth. Multivariable analyses were used to adjust for confounding factors. RESULTS: The prevalence of birth asphyxia was 0.85% and severe asphyxia 0.16%. Between 1999 and 2010 birth asphyxia decreased significantly with approximately 6% (p = 0.03) and severe asphyxia with 11% (p = 0.03). There was no significant change in perinatal mortality rate (0.98 per 1000 live births). Simultaneously the referral rate from primary to secondary care during labor increased from 20% to 24% (p < 0.0001) and the intervention rate for fetal distress from 5.9% to 7.7% (p < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: In the Netherlands, the risk of birth asphyxia among term singletons has slightly decreased over the last decade; without a significant change in perinatal mortality.
Authors: Pim van Montfort; Jessica Ppm Willemse; Carmen D Dirksen; Ivo Ma van Dooren; Linda Je Meertens; Marc Ea Spaanderman; Maartje Zelis; Iris M Zwaan; Hubertina Cj Scheepers; Luc Jm Smits Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Date: 2018-05-04
Authors: Anita C J Ravelli; Martine Eskes; Christianne J M de Groot; Ameen Abu-Hanna; Joris A M van der Post Journal: Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand Date: 2020-03-20 Impact factor: 3.636