Search

Objective: The My Baby's Movements (MBM) trial aimed to evaluate the impact on stillbirth rates of a multifaceted awareness package (the MBM intervention). Design: Stepped‐wedge cluster‐randomised controlled trial. Setting: Twenty‐seven maternity hospitals in Australia and New Zealand. Population: Women with a singleton pregnancy without major fetal anomaly at ≥28 weeks of gestation from August 2016 to May 2019. Methods: The MBM intervention was implemented at randomly assigned time points, with the sequential introduction of eight groups of between three and five hospitals at 4‐monthly intervals. Using generalised linear mixed models, the stillbirth rate was compared in the control and the intervention periods, adjusting for calendar time, study population characteristics and hospital effects. Main outcome measures: Stillbirth at ≥28 weeks of gestation. Results: There were 304 850 births with 290 105 births meeting the inclusion criteria: 150 053 in the control and 140 052 in the intervention periods. The stillbirth rate was lower (although not statistically significantly so) during the intervention compared with the control period (2.2/1000 versus 2.4/1000 births; aOR 1.18, 95% CI 0.93–1.50; P = 0.18). The decrease in stillbirth rate was greater across calendar time: 2.7/1000 in the first versus 2.0/1000 in the last 18 months. No increase in secondary outcomes, including obstetric intervention or adverse neonatal outcome, was evident. Conclusions: The MBM intervention did not reduce stillbirths beyond the downward trend over time. As a result of low uptake, the role of the intervention remains unclear, although the downward trend across time suggests some benefit in lowering the stillbirth rate. In this study setting, an awareness of the importance of fetal movements may have reached pregnant women and clinicians prior to the implementation of the intervention. The My Baby's Movements intervention to raise awareness of decreased fetal movement did not significantly reduce stillbirth rates. The My Baby's Movements intervention to raise awareness of decreased fetal movement did not significantly reduce stillbirth rates. Linked article This article is commented on by Alexander E. P. Heazell, p. 42 in this issue. To view this mini commentary visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471-0528.16954. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents author's comments on the effect of stillbirth and neonatal death on mothers, fathers and families. It mentions that the perinatal and child death cost 1.5 billion dollars. It mentions that the maternal grief includes social stigma, blame and marginalisation. It mentions that in the high-income country parenting and caring for the dead baby produce positive memories.

Background: Deficiencies in investigation and audit of perinatal deaths result in loss of information thereby limiting strategies for future prevention. The Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) developed a clinical practice guideline for perinatal mortality in 2004. Aims: To determine the current use and views of the PSANZ guideline, focussing on the investigation and audit aspects of the guideline. Methods: A telephone survey was conducted of lead midwives and doctors working in birth suites of maternity hospitals with over 1000 births per annum in Australia and New Zealand. Results: Sixty-nine of the 78 eligible hospitals agreed to participate. A total of 133 clinicians were surveyed. Only 42% of clinicians surveyed were aware of the guideline; more midwives than doctors were aware (53 vs 28%). Of those, only 19% had received training in their use and 33% reported never having referred to them in practice. Implementation of even the key guideline recommendations varied. Seventy per cent of respondents reported regularly attending perinatal mortality audit meetings; midwives were less likely than doctors to attend (59 vs 81%). Almost half (45%) of those surveyed reported never receiving feedback from these meetings. The majority of clinicians surveyed agreed that all parents should be approached for consent to an autopsy examination of the baby; however, most (86%) reported the need for clinician training in counselling parents about autopsy. Conclusions: Effective implementation programmes are urgently required to address suboptimal uptake of best practice guidelines on perinatal mortality audit in Australia and New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare two dosing regimens for caffeine citrate in the periextubation period for neonates born at less than 30 weeks gestation in terms of successful extubation and adverse effects. Design: A multicentre, randomised, double blind, clinical trial. Selling: Four tertiary neonatal units within Australia. Patients: Infants born less than 30 weeks gestation ventilated for more than 48 hours. Interventions: Two dosing regimens of caffeine citrate (20 v 5 mg/kg/day) for periextubation management. Treatment started 24 hours before a planned extubation or within six hours of an unplanned extubation. Main outcome measure: Failure to extubate within 48 hours of caffeine loading or reintubation and ventilation or doxapram within seven days of caffeine loading. Results: A total of 234 neonates were enrolled. A significant reduction in failure to extubate was shown for the 20 mg/kg/day dosing group (15.0% v 29.8%; relative risk 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.31 to 0.85; number needed to treat 7 (95% CI 4 to 24)). A significant difference in duration of mechanical ventilation was shown for infants of less than 28 weeks gestation receiving the high dose of caffeine (mean (SD) days 14.4 (11.1) v 22.1 (17.1); p = 0.01). No difference in adverse effects was detected in terms of mortality, major neonatal morbidity, death, or severe disability or general quotient at 12 months. Conclusions: This trial shows short term benefits for a 20 mg/kg/day dosing regimen of caffeine citrate for neonates born at less than 30 weeks gestation in the periextubation period, without evidence of harm in the first year of life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stillbirth is a persistent public health problem with enormous impacts on parents, families and communities (de Bernis et al. I Lancet i 2016;387:703-16). The care of health workers and community is vital to parents' recovery after stillbirth (Flenady et al. I BJOG i 2014;121:137-40). Health workers confronted with such losses need training, support and culturally specific and context-specific care guidelines. [Extracted from the article]

Background: Stillbirth is a devastating pregnancy outcome that has a profound and lasting impact on women and families. Globally, there are over 2.6 million stillbirths annually and progress in reducing these deaths has been slow. Maternal perception of decreased fetal movements (DFM) is strongly associated with stillbirth. However, maternal awareness of DFM and clinical management of women reporting DFM is often suboptimal. The My Baby's Movements trial aims to evaluate an intervention package for maternity services including a mobile phone application for women and clinician education (MBM intervention) in reducing late gestation stillbirth rates.Methods/design: This is a stepped wedge cluster randomised controlled trial with sequential introduction of the MBM intervention to 8 groups of 3-5 hospitals at four-monthly intervals over 3 years. The target population is women with a singleton pregnancy, without lethal fetal abnormality, attending for antenatal care and clinicians providing maternity care at 26 maternity services in Australia and New Zealand. The primary outcome is stillbirth from 28 weeks' gestation. Secondary outcomes address: a) neonatal morbidity and mortality; b) maternal psychosocial outcomes and health-seeking behaviour; c) health services utilisation; d) women's and clinicians' knowledge of fetal movements; and e) cost. 256,700 births (average of 3170 per hospital) will detect a 30% reduction in stillbirth rates from 3/1000 births to 2/1000 births, assuming a significance level of 5%. Analysis will utilise generalised linear mixed models.Discussion: Maternal perception of DFM is a marker of an at-risk pregnancy and commonly precedes a stillbirth. MBM offers a simple, inexpensive resource to reduce the number of stillborn babies, and families suffering the distressing consequences of such a loss. This large pragmatic trial will provide evidence on benefits and potential harms of raising awareness of DFM using a mobile phone app.Trial Registration: ACTRN12614000291684. Registered 19 March 2014.Version: Protocol Version 6.1, February 2018. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pre-oxygenation for endotracheal suctioning for mechanically ventilated infants is routine practice in many neonatal intensive care units. In the present systematic review the evidence to support its use is discussed and the authors conclude that no confident recommendations can be made from the results of this review. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the issues relating to stillbirth in Latin America. Topics discussed include inverse relationship between Gross domestic product (GDP) per capita and women's schooling; challenges of interventions to reduce stillbirth rates in Latin America; and the information on the causes of stillbirth.

In the 2018 BJOG stillbirth themed issue, Nuzum et al (Nuzum et al BJOG, 2017, x, x-x) report findings of a telephone survey on stillbirth awareness in the general Irish population.. Despite increased global focus, surprisingly little information is available on the public's knowledge of stillbirth. If stillbirth prevention campaigns are to be effective, they need to be understood by whole communities. In this regard, this population survey is timely and offers some insights. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To compare clinical outcomes following induction of labour (IOL) using a balloon catheter and going home, versus prostaglandin (PG) as an inpatient.Design: Randomised controlled trial.Setting: Eight Australian maternity hospitals.Population: Women with uncomplicated term singleton pregnancies undergoing IOL for low-risk indications including post-term, advanced maternal age and 'social' reasons.Methods: Between September 2015 and October 2018, 347 women were randomised to a balloon outpatient group and 348 to a PG inpatient group. The PG group received Dinoprostone, either 2 mg gel or 10 mg controlled-release tape. The balloon group had a double-balloon catheter inserted and went home.Main Outcome Measures: The primary outcome was a composite neonatal measure comprising nursery admission, intubation/cardiac compressions, acidaemia, hypoxic ischaemic encephalopathy, seizure, infection, pulmonary hypertension, stillbirth or death. Clinical and process outcomes are reported.Results: There were no statistically significant differences in the primary outcome comparing balloon with PG (18.6% versus 25.8%; relative risk = 0.77, 95% CI 0.51-1.02; P = 0.070), cord arterial pH <7.10 (3.5% versus 9.2%; P = 0.072), nursery admissions (12.6% versus 15.5%; P = 0.379), neonatal antibiotic use (12.1% versus 17.6%; P = 0.103), or mode of birth. Nulliparous women in the balloon group had lower rates of the primary outcome (20.4% versus 31.0%;P = 0.032); Parous women were less likely to have an unassisted vaginal birth (77.6% versus 92.3%; P = 0.045).Conclusions: Balloon catheters may be a superior method of cervical priming for nulliparous women, whereas this may not be the case for parous women. It is feasible that nulliparous women go home after commencing balloon catheter IOL, and the likelihood of adverse outcomes is low.Tweetable Abstract: Multicentre trial shows outpatient induction using balloon catheter is safe and feasible for nulliparous women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Classifications of perinatal deaths have been undertaken for surveillance of causes of death, but also for auditing individual deaths to identify suboptimal care at any level, so that preventive strategies may be implemented. This paper describes the history and development of the paired obstetric and neonatal Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand (PSANZ) classifications in the context of other classifications. The PSANZ Perinatal Death Classification is based on obstetric antecedent factors that initiated the sequence of events leading to the death, and was developed largely from the Aberdeen and Whitfield classifications. The PSANZ Neonatal Death Classification is based on fetal and neonatal factors associated with the death. The classifications, accessible on the PSANZ website ( ), have definitions and guidelines for use, a high level of agreement between classifiers, and are now being used in nearly all Australian states and New Zealand. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stillbirth is a major global public health problem but in the absence of a robust method to predict a woman's individualised risk of stillbirth, identifying women at increased risk remains a challenge. Improving the quality of prediction models with internal and external validation, transparent reporting and consideration for clinical translation, is necessary to make them useful for detecting individualised stillbirth risk and informing clinical decision-making. [Extracted from the article]

Objective: Parent engagement in perinatal mortality review meetings following stillbirth may benefit parents and improve patient safety. We investigated perinatal mortality review meeting practices, including the extent of parent engagement, based on self‐reports from healthcare professionals from maternity care facilities in six high‐income countries. Design: Cross‐sectional online survey. Setting: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, UK and USA. Population: A total of 1104 healthcare professionals, comprising mainly obstetricians, gynaecologists, midwives and nurses. Methods: Data were drawn from responses to a survey covering stillbirth‐related topics. Open‐ and closed‐items that focused on 'Data quality on causes of stillbirth' were analysed. Main outcome measures: Healthcare professionals' self‐reported practices around perinatal mortality review meetings following stillbirth. Results: Most clinicians (81.0%) were aware of regular audit meetings to review stillbirth at their maternity facility, although this was true for only 35.5% of US respondents. For the 854 respondents whose facility held regular meetings, less than a third (31.1%) reported some form of parent engagement, and this was usually in the form of one‐way post‐meeting feedback. Across all six countries, only 17.1% of respondents described an explicit approach where parents provided input, received feedback and were represented at meetings. Conclusions: We found no established practice of involving parents in the perinatal mortality review process in six high‐income countries. Parent engagement may hold the key to important lessons for stillbirth prevention and care. Further understanding of approaches, barriers and enablers is warranted. Parent engagement in mortality review after stillbirth is rare, based on data from six countries. We need to understand the barriers. Parent engagement in mortality review after stillbirth is rare, based on data from six countries. We need to understand the barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In 2015, the stillbirth rate after 28 weeks (late gestation) in Australia was 35% higher than countries with the lowest rates globally. Reductions in late gestation stillbirth rates have steadily improved in Australia. However, to amplify and sustain reductions, more needs to be done to reduce practice variation and address sub-optimal care. Implementing bundles for maternity care improvement in the UK have been associated with a 20% reduction in stillbirth rates. A similar approach is underway in Australia; the Safer Baby Bundle (SBB) with five elements: 1) supporting women to stop smoking in pregnancy, 2) improving detection and management of fetal growth restriction, 3) raising awareness and improving care for women with decreased fetal movements, 4) improving awareness of maternal safe going-to-sleep position in late pregnancy, 5) improving decision making about the timing of birth for women with risk factors for stillbirth.Methods: This is a mixed-methods study of maternity services across three Australian states; Queensland, Victoria and New South Wales. The study includes evaluation of 'targeted' implementer sites (combined total approximately 113,000 births annually, 50% of births in these states) and monitoring of key outcomes state-wide across all maternity services. Progressive implementation over 2.5 years, managed by state Departments of Health, commenced from mid-2019. This study will determine the impact of implementing the SBB on maternity services and perinatal outcomes, specifically for reducing late gestation stillbirth. Comprehensive process, impact, and outcome evaluations will be conducted using routinely collected perinatal data, pre- and post- implementation surveys, clinical audits, focus group discussions and interviews. Evaluations explore the views and experiences of clinicians embedding the SBB into routine practice as well as women's experience with care and the acceptability of the initiative.Discussion: This protocol describes the evaluation of the SBB initiative and will provide evidence for the value of a systematic, but pragmatic, approach to strategies to reduce the evidence-practice gaps across maternity services. We hypothesise successful implementation and uptake across three Australian states (amplified nationally) will be effective in reducing late gestation stillbirths to that of the best performing countries globally, equating to at least 150 lives saved annually.Trial Registration: The Safer Baby Bundle Study was retrospectively registered on the ACTRN12619001777189 database, date assigned 16/12/2019. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Stillbirth has a profound impact on women, families, and healthcare workers. The burden is highest in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). There is need for respectful and supportive care for women, partners, and families after bereavement.Objective: To perform a qualitative meta-summary of parents' and healthcare professionals' experiences of care after stillbirth in LMICs.Search Strategy: Search terms were formulated by identifying all synonyms, thesaurus terms, and variations for stillbirth. Databases searched were AMED, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsychINFO, BNI, CINAHL.Selection Criteria: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method studies that addressed parents' or healthcare professionals' experience of care after stillbirth in LMICs.Data Collection and Analysis: Studies were screened, and data extracted in duplicate. Data were analysed using the Sandelowski meta-summary technique that calculates frequency and intensity effect sizes (FES/IES).Main Results: In all, 118 full texts were screened, and 34 studies from 17 countries were included. FES range was 15-68%. Most studies had IES 1.5-4.5. Women experience a broad range of manifestations of grief following stillbirth, which may not be recognised by healthcare workers or in their communities. Lack of recognition exacerbates negative experiences of stigmatisation, blame, devaluation, and loss of social status. Adequately developed health systems, with trained and supported staff, are best equipped to provide the support and information that women want after stillbirth.Conclusions: Basic interventions could have an immediate impact on the experiences of women and their families after stillbirth. Examples include public education to reduce stigma, promoting the respectful maternity care agenda, and investigating stillbirth appropriately.Tweetable Abstract: Reducing stigma, promoting respectful care and investigating stillbirth have a positive impact after stillbirth for women and families in LMICs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine whether disparities in stillbirth, and neonatal and perinatal mortality rates, between public and private hospitals are the result of differences in population characteristics and/or clinical practices.Design: Retrospective cohort study.Setting: A metropolitan tertiary centre encompassing public and private hospitals. Women accessed care from either a private obstetrician or from public models of care - predominantly midwife-led care or care shared between midwives, general practitioners, and obstetricians.Population: A total of 131 436 births during 1998-2013: 69 037 public and 62 399 private.Methods: Propensity score matching was used to select equal-sized public and private cohorts with similar characteristics. Logistic regression analysis was then used to explore the impact of public-private differences in the use of assisted reproductive technologies, plurality, major congenital anomalies, birth method, and gestational age.Main Outcome Measures: Stillbirth, and neonatal and perinatal mortality rates.Results: After controlling for maternal and pregnancy factors, perinatal mortality rates were higher in the public than in the private cohort (adjusted odds ratio, aOR 1.53; 95% confidence interval, 95% CI 1.29-1.80; stillbirth aOR 1.56, 95% CI 1.26-1.94; neonatal death aOR 1.48, 95% CI 1.15-1.89). These disparities reduced by 15.7, 20.5, and 19.6%, respectively, after adjusting for major congenital anomalies, birth method, and gestational age.Conclusions: Perinatal mortality occurred more often among public than private births, and this disparity was not explained by population differences. Differences in clinical practices seem to be partly responsible. The impact of differences in clinical practices on maternal and neonatal morbidity was not examined. Further research is required.Tweetable Abstract: Private obstetrician-led care: more obstetric intervention and earlier births reduce perinatal mortality.Plain Language Summary: Background Babies born in Australian public hospitals tend to die more often than those born in private hospitals. Our aim was to determine whether this pattern is a result of public-private differences in care or merely linked with differences in the characteristics of the two groups. In Australian private hospitals, a private obstetrician almost always provides continuing care to each woman during pregnancy and birth. Public hospitals provide a number of care options, which usually involve midwives and/or a family doctor. Method The study population included 131 436 births (52.5% public; 47.5% private) from 1998-2013 at a single metropolitan centre with co-located public and private facilities. To isolate the effect of differences in care, we used a statistical technique called propensity score matching to select a public group and a private group with similar characteristics and equal size. This enabled us to compare 'apples with apples' when comparing public versus private perinatal death rates. Perinatal deaths include stillbirths and babies that die within 28 days of birth. Main findings After matching and after accounting for different patterns in the use of fertility treatments and multiple-birth pregnancies (such as twins), babies born in the public sector were approximately 1.5 times more likely to die than babies born in the private sector. This difference was reduced to 1.3 times more likely to die than babies born in the private sector after taking into account other factors that could skew the data, such as major congenital anomalies, birth method, and duration of pregnancy. Limitations This was a single-centre study, so the results may not apply to all settings. Despite our efforts to create highly similar public and private cohorts, some differences between the groups are likely to have remained and this may have affected the results. Implications Our findings suggest that private obstetrician-led care has a beneficial impact on perinatal deaths, despite, or possibly because of, higher obstetric intervention rates and earlier births in the private hospital. Further research is required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the ICD-PM perinatal period deaths classification being developed by the World Health Organization based on existing International Classification of Diseases-10 (ICD-10) codes. Topics include reference to unrecognized stillbirths or neonatal deaths, unifying perinatal death classification system with the contributing maternal factors as well as convened groups of experts such as obstetricians and neonatologists. Also mentioned are ICD-MM codes and the epidemiologists.

Objective: To apply the World Health Organization (WHO) Application of the International Classification of Diseases, tenth revision (ICD-10) to deaths during the perinatal period: ICD-Perinatal Mortality (ICD-PM) to existing perinatal death databases.Design: Retrospective application of ICD-PM.Setting: South Africa, UK.Population: Perinatal death databases.Methods: Deaths were grouped according to timing of death and then by the ICD-PM cause of death. The main maternal condition at the time of perinatal death was assigned to each case.Main Outcome Measures: Causes of perinatal mortality, associated maternal conditions.Results: In South Africa 344/689 (50%) deaths occurred antepartum, 11% (n = 74) intrapartum and 39% (n = 271) in the early neonatal period. In the UK 4377/9067 (48.3%) deaths occurred antepartum, with 457 (5%) intrapartum and 4233 (46.7%) in the neonatal period. Antepartum deaths were due to unspecified causes (59%), chromosomal abnormalities (21%) or problems related to fetal growth (14%). Intrapartum deaths followed acute intrapartum events (69%); neonatal deaths followed consequences of low birthweight/ prematurity (31%), chromosomal abnormalities (26%), or unspecified causes in healthy mothers (25%). Mothers were often healthy; 53%, 38% and 45% in the antepartum, intrapartum and neonatal death groups, respectively. Where there was a maternal condition, it was most often maternal medical conditions, and complications of placenta, cord and membranes.Conclusions: The ICD-PM can be a globally applicable perinatal death classification system that emphasises the need for a focus on the mother-baby dyad as we move beyond 2015.Tweetable Abstract: ICD-PM is a global system that classifies perinatal deaths and links them to maternal conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We explore preterm-related neonatal deaths using the WHO application of the International Classification of Disease (ICD-10) to deaths during the perinatal period: ICD-PM as an informative case study, where ICD-PM can improve data use to guide clinical practice and programmatic decision-making.Design: Retrospective application of ICD-PM.Setting: South Africa, and the UK.Population: Perinatal death databases.Methods: Descriptive analysis of neonatal deaths and maternal conditions present.Main Outcome Measures: Causes of preterm neonatal mortality and associated maternal conditions.Results: We included 98 term and 173 preterm early neonatal deaths from South Africa, and 956 term and 3248 preterm neonatal deaths from the UK. In the South African data set, the main causes of death were respiratory/cardiovascular disorders (34.7%), low birthweight/prematurity (29.2%), and disorders of cerebral status (25.5%). Amongst preterm deaths, low birthweight/prematurity (43.9%) and respiratory/cardiovascular disorders (32.4%) were the leading causes. In the data set from the UK, the leading causes of death were low birthweight/prematurity (31.6%), congenital abnormalities (27.4%), and deaths of unspecified cause (26.1%). In the preterm deaths, the leading causes were low birthweight/prematurity (40.9%) and deaths of unspecified cause (29.6%). In South Africa, 61% of preterm deaths resulted from the maternal condition of preterm spontaneous labour. Among the preterm deaths in the data set from the UK, no maternal condition was present in 36%, followed by complications of placenta, cord, and membranes (23%), and other complications of labour and delivery (22%).Conclusions: ICD-PM can be used to appraise the maternal and newborn conditions contributing to preterm deaths, and can inform practice.Tweetable Abstract: ICD-PM can be used to appraise maternal and newborn contributors to preterm deaths to improve quality of care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The WHO application of the tenth edition of the International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) to deaths during the perinatal period (ICD Perinatal Mortality, ICD-PM) captures the essential characteristics of the mother-baby dyad that contribute to perinatal deaths. We compare the capture of maternal conditions in the existing ICD-PM with the maternal codes from the WHO application of ICD-10 to deaths during pregnancy, childbirth, and the puerperium (ICD Maternal Mortality, ICD-MM) to explore potential benefits in the quality of data received.Design: Retrospective application of ICD-PM.Setting: South Africa and the UK.Population: Perinatal death databases.Methods: The maternal conditions were classified using the ICD-PM groupings for maternal condition in perinatal death, and then mapped to the ICD-MM groupings of maternal conditions.Main Outcome Measures: Main maternal conditions in perinatal deaths.Results: We reviewed 9661 perinatal deaths. The largest group (4766 cases, 49.3%) in both classifications captures deaths where there was no contributing maternal condition. Each of the other ICD-PM groups map to between three and six ICD-MM groups. If the cases in each ICD-PM group are re-coded using ICD-MM, each group becomes multiple, more specific groups. For example, the 712 cases in group M4 in ICD-PM become 14 different and more specific main disease categories when the ICD-MM is applied instead.Conclusions: As we move towards ICD-11, the use of the more specific, applicable, and relevant codes outlined in ICD-MM for both maternal deaths and the maternal condition at the time of a perinatal death would be preferable, and would provide important additional information about perinatal deaths.Tweetable Abstract: Improving the capture of maternal conditions in perinatal deaths provides important actionable information. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Decreased fetal movement is associated with adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes; timely reporting and appropriate management may prevent stillbirth.Objectives: Determine effects of interventions to enhance maternal awareness of decreased fetal movement.Search Strategy: Cinahl, The Cochrane Library, EMBASE, MEDLINE, PsycINFO and SCOPUS databases; without limitation on language or publication year.Selection Criteria: Randomised or non-randomised studies evaluating interventions to enhance maternal awareness of decreased fetal movement.Data Collection and Analysis: Two authors independently extracted data and assessed quality.Main Results: We included 23 publications from 16 studies of fair to poor quality. We were unable to pool results due to substantial heterogeneity between studies. Three randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and five non-randomised studies (NRSs), involving 72 888 and 115 435 pregnancies, respectively, assessed effects of interventions on stillbirth and perinatal death. One large cluster RCT (n = 68 654) reported no stillbirth reduction, one RCT (n = 3111) reported significant stillbirth reduction, and one RCT (n = 1123) was small with no deaths. All NRSs favoured intervention over standard care; three studies (n = 31 131) reported significant reduction, whereas two studies (n = 84 304) reported non-significant reductions in stillbirth or perinatal deaths. Promising results from NRSs warrant further research. We found no evidence of increased maternal concern following interventions. No cost-effectiveness data were available.Conclusions: We found no clear evidence of benefit or harm; indirect evidence suggests improved pregnancy and birth outcomes. The optimal approach to support women in monitoring their pregnancies needs to be established. Meanwhile, women need to be informed about the importance of fetal movement for fetal health.Tweetable Abstract: The benefits and risks of interventions to increase pregnant women's awareness of fetal movement are unclear. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To determine whether the disparity gap is closing between stillbirth rates for Indigenous and non-Indigenous women and to identify focal areas for future prevention efforts according to gestational age and geographic location.Design: Population-based retrospective cohort study.Setting: Queensland, Australia.Population: All singleton births of at least 20 weeks of gestation or at least 400 g birthweight.Methods: Routinely collected data on births were obtained for the period 1995 to 2011. Indigenous and non-Indigenous stillbirth rates and percent reduction in the gap were compared over time and by geographic location and gestational age.Main Outcome Measures: All-cause and cause-specific stillbirth rates (per 1000 ongoing pregnancies).Results: Over the study period there was a 57.3% reduction in the disparity gap. Although marked reductions in the gap were shown for women in regional (57.0%) and remote (56.1%) locations, these women remained at increased risk compared with those in urban regions. There was no reduction for term stillbirths. Major conditions contributing to the disparity were maternal conditions (diabetes) (relative risk [RR] 3.78, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] 2.59-5.51), perinatal infection (RR 3.70, 95% CI 2.54-5.39), spontaneous preterm birth (RR 3.08, 95% CI 2.51-3.77), hypertension (RR 2.22, 95% CI 1.45-3.39), fetal growth restriction (RR 1.78, 95% CI 1.17-2.71) and antepartum haemorrhage (RR 1.58, 95% CI 1.13-2.22).Conclusions: The gap in stillbirth rates between Indigenous and non-Indigenous women is closing, but Indigenous women continue to be at increased risk due to a number of potentially preventable conditions. There is little change in the gap at term gestational ages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A carefully classified dataset of perinatal mortality will retain the most significant information on the causes of death. Such information is needed for health care policy development, surveillance and international comparisons, clinical services and research. For comparability purposes, we propose a classification system that could serve all these needs, and be applicable in both developing and developed countries. It is developed to adhere to basic concepts of underlying cause in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD), although gaps in ICD prevent classification of perinatal deaths solely on existing ICD codes.We tested the Causes of Death and Associated Conditions (Codac) classification for perinatal deaths in seven populations, including two developing country settings. We identified areas of potential improvements in the ability to retain existing information, ease of use and inter-rater agreement. After revisions to address these issues we propose Version II of Codac with detailed coding instructions.The ten main categories of Codac consist of three key contributors to global perinatal mortality (intrapartum events, infections and congenital anomalies), two crucial aspects of perinatal mortality (unknown causes of death and termination of pregnancy), a clear distinction of conditions relevant only to the neonatal period and the remaining conditions are arranged in the four anatomical compartments (fetal, cord, placental and maternal).For more detail there are 94 subcategories, further specified in 577 categories in the full version. Codac is designed to accommodate both the main cause of death as well as two associated conditions. We suggest reporting not only the main cause of death, but also the associated relevant conditions so that scenarios of combined conditions and events are captured.The appropriately applied Codac system promises to better manage information on causes of perinatal deaths, the conditions associated with them, and the most common clinical scenarios for future study and comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: Heazell A, McLaughlin M, Schmidt E, Cox P, Flenady V, Khong T, Downe S. A difficult conversation? The views and experiences of parents and professionals on the consent process for perinatal postmortem after stillbirth. BJOG 2012;119:987-997. Objective To describe the experiences, knowledge and views of both parents and professionals regarding the consent process for perinatal postmortem. Design Internet-based survey. Setting Obstetricians, midwives and perinatal pathologists currently working in the UK. Parents who have experienced a stillbirth in the UK in the previous 10 years. Sample Obstetricians, midwives and perinatal pathologists registered with their professional bodies. Parents who accessed the Sands website or online forum. Methods Online self-completion questionnaire with both fixed-choice and open-ended questions. Results Responses were analysed from 2256 midwives, 354 obstetricians, 21 perinatal pathologists and 460 parents. The most common reason for parents to request postmortem examination was to find a cause for their baby's death; the prevention of stillbirths in others also ranked highly. Perinatal pathologists possessed greatest knowledge of the procedure and efficacy of postmortem, but were unlikely to meet bereaved parents. The majority of professionals and parents ranked emotional distress and a lengthy wait for results as barriers to consent. The majority of staff ranked workload, negative publicity, religion and cultural issues as important barriers, whereas most parents did not. Almost twice as many parents who declined postmortem examination later regretted their decision compared with those who accepted the offer (34.4 versus 17.4%). Conclusion Emotional, practical and psychosocial issues can act as real or perceived barriers for staff and bereaved parents. Education is required for midwives and obstetricians, to increase their knowledge to ensure accurate counselling, with due regard for the highly individual responses of bereaved parents. The contribution of perinatal pathologists to staff education and parental decision-making would be invaluable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Please cite this paper as: Winje B, Saastad E, Gunnes N, Tveit J, Stray-Pedersen B, Flenady V, Frøen J. Analysis of 'count-to-ten' fetal movement charts: a prospective cohort study. BJOG 2011; DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-0528.2011.02993.x. Objective We aimed to describe patterns of maternally perceived fetal movement (FM) counts in normal third-trimester pregnancies and present associations between published limits of decreased fetal movement (DFM) and FM patterns in the total population. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting Norway, in 2005-2007 and 2007-2009. Population The total population of women with singleton pregnancies. Methods Using a 'count-to-ten' approach, women counted FMs daily from pregnancy week 28 until delivery. Data on maternal characteristics and birth outcomes were obtained from the Medical Birth Registry of Norway and hospital records. We measured the observed mean counting time and used chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-tests to examine differences between normal pregnancies and pregnancies with suboptimal outcomes. Main outcome measures Fetal movements in normal pregnancies and in pregnancies ending in a small-for-gestational-age baby, preterm birth or non-elective caesarean section. Results A total of 1786 women were included. The mean time to perceive ten movements was approximately 10 minutes in normal pregnancies, with a <2-minute increase in the mean towards term. Fixed limits for DFMs had low predictive values. Overall, the mean counting time in pregnancies with suboptimal outcomes did not differ markedly from normal pregnancies. Conclusions This study does not support the notion that FM counts decrease at term in normal pregnancies. A standard approach to FM counting, applying the currently best-founded definition of DFM, was not useful as a screening tool for at-risk pregnancies in this population. Further research is needed to improve measurements of DFM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test the effects of a neonatal postextubation programme on the incidence of postextubation collapse and adverse outcomes. Methods: A randomized controlled trial was carried out at the Mater Mothers' Hospital, Brisbane. Mechanically ventilated infants were randomized into one of two groups, physiotherapy group – which involved a regimen of chest wall percussion and oropharyngeal suctioning and control group – which involved suctioning without the percussion unless indicated. Chest X-rays were taken at 6 h and at 24 h postextubation. The primary outcome measure was postextubation collapse as determined by a paediatric radiologist blinded to the group allocation. Results: One hundred and seventy-seven neonates were enrolled in the trial between 1997 and 1999. After an interim analysis, the trial was stopped early. No statistically significant difference was shown in the rate of postextubation collapse (15 of 87 (17.2%) physiotherapy group and 17 of 86 (19.8%) control group ( P = 0.85)). No differences were shown between the groups in the number of apnoeic or bradycardic events, duration of requirement for supplemental oxygen or the need for re-intubation within 24 h postextubation. Conclusion: The results of this trial suggest that a routine neonatal postextubation chest physiotherapy programme for all infants is not indicated. There was no evidence that chest physiotherapy is associated with any adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Women experiencing decreased fetal movements (DFM) are at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including stillbirth. Fourteen delivery units in Norway registered all cases of DFM in a population-based quality assessment. We found that information to women and management of DFM varied significantly between hospitals. We intended to examine two cohorts of women with DFM before and during two consensus-based interventions aiming to improve care through: 1) written information to women about fetal activity and DFM, including an invitation to monitor fetal movements, 2) guidelines for management of DFM for health-care professionals.Methods: All singleton third trimester pregnancies presenting with a perception of DFM were registered, and outcomes collected independently at all 14 hospitals. The quality assessment period included April 2005 through October 2005, and the two interventions were implemented from November 2005 through March 2007. The baseline versus intervention cohorts included: 19,407 versus 46,143 births and 1215 versus 3038 women with DFM, respectively.Results: Reports of DFM did not increase during the intervention. The stillbirth rate among women with DFM fell during the intervention: 4.2% vs. 2.4%, (OR 0.51 95% CI 0.32-0.81), and 3.0/1000 versus 2.0/1000 in the overall study population (OR 0.67 95% CI 0.48-0.93). There was no increase in the rates of preterm births, fetal growth restriction, transfers to neonatal care or severe neonatal depression among women with DFM during the intervention. The use of ultrasound in management increased, while additional follow up visits and admissions for induction were reduced.Conclusion: Improved management of DFM and uniform information to women is associated with fewer stillbirths. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a letter to the editor commenting on the article "Update on the Controversies of Tocolytic Therapy for the Prevention of Preterm Birth," by Ingermarsson I. and Lamont R., published in "Acta Obstet Gynecol Scand," volume 83, number 414.