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Objective This study aimed to evaluate trends, risk factors, and outcomes associated with infections and sepsis during delivery hospitalizations in the United States. Study Design The 2000–2020 National Inpatient Sample was used for this repeated cross-sectional analysis. Delivery hospitalizations of patients aged 15 to 54 with and without infection and sepsis were identified. Common infection diagnoses during delivery hospitalizations analyzed included (i) pyelonephritis, (ii) pneumonia/influenza, (iii) endometritis, (iv) cholecystitis, (v) chorioamnionitis, and (vi) wound infection. Temporal trends in sepsis and infection during delivery hospitalizations were analyzed. The associations between sepsis and infection and common chronic health conditions including asthma, chronic hypertension, pregestational diabetes, and obesity were analyzed. The associations between clinical, demographic, and hospital characteristics, and infection and sepsis were determined with unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models with unadjusted odds ratio (OR) and adjusted odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals as measures of association. Results An estimated 80,158,622 delivery hospitalizations were identified and included in the analysis, of which 2,766,947 (3.5%) had an infection diagnosis and 32,614 had a sepsis diagnosis (4.1 per 10,000). The most common infection diagnosis was chorioamnionitis (2.7% of deliveries) followed by endometritis (0.4%), and wound infections (0.3%). Infection and sepsis were more common in the setting of chronic health conditions. Evaluating trends in individual infection diagnoses, endometritis and wound infection decreased over the study period both for patients with and without chronic conditions, while risk for pyelonephritis and pneumonia/influenza increased. Sepsis increased over the study period for deliveries with and without chronic condition diagnoses. Risks for adverse outcomes including mortality, severe maternal morbidity, the critical care composite, and acute renal failure were all significantly increased in the presence of sepsis and infection. Conclusion Endometritis and wound infections decreased over the study period while risk for sepsis increased. Infection and sepsis were associated with chronic health conditions and accounted for a significant proportion of adverse obstetric outcomes including severe maternal morbidity. Key Points Sepsis increased over the study period for deliveries with and without chronic condition diagnoses. Endometritis and wound infection decreased over the study period. Infection and sepsis accounted for a significant proportion of adverse obstetric outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Gastroschisis is a full-thickness congenital defect of the abdominal wall through which intestines and other organs may herniate. In a prior analysis, attempted vaginal delivery with fetal gastroschisis appeared to increase through 2013, although cesarean delivery remained common. The objective of this analysis was to update current trends in attempted vaginal birth among pregnancies complicated by gastroschisis. Study Design We performed an updated cross-sectional analysis of live births from 2014 and 2020 using data from the U.S. National Vital Statistics System and evaluated trends in attempted vaginal deliveries among births with gastroschisis. Trends were evaluated using joinpoint regression. We constructed logistic regression models to evaluate the association between demographic and clinical variables and attempted vaginal delivery in the setting of gastroschisis. Results Among 5,355 deliveries with gastroschisis meeting inclusion criteria, attempted vaginal delivery increased significantly from 68.9% to 75.1%, an average annual percent change of 1.7% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.8–2.5). Among gastroschisis-complicated pregnancies, patients 35 to 39 years old (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.53; 95% CI, 0.37–0.79) and Hispanic race/ethnicity (aOR, 0.69; 95% CI, 0.58–0.62) were at lower likelihood of attempted vaginal delivery in adjusted analyses. Conclusion These findings suggest that vaginal delivery continues to increase in the setting of gastroschisis. Further reduction of surgical delivery for this fetal defect may be possible. Key Points Vaginal deliveries increased among gastroschisis pregnancies. Hispanic patients were less likely to attempt vaginal delivery. Some gastroschisis pregnancies still deliver surgically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Vital sign scoring systems that alert providers of clinical deterioration prior to critical illness have been proposed as a means of reducing maternal risk. This study examined the predictive ability of established maternal early warning systems (MEWS)—as well as their component vital sign thresholds—for different types of maternal morbidity, to discern an optimal early warning system. Study Design This retrospective cohort study analyzed all patients admitted to the obstetric services of a four-hospital urban academic system in 2018. Three sets of published MEWS criteria were evaluated. Maternal morbidity was defined as a composite of hemorrhage, infection, acute cardiac disease, and acute respiratory disease ascertained from the electronic medical record data warehouse and administrative data. The test characteristics of each MEWS, as well as for heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation were compared. Results Of 14,597 obstetric admissions, 2,451 patients experienced the composite morbidity outcome (16.8%) including 980 cases of hemorrhage (6.7%), 1,337 of infection (9.2%), 362 of acute cardiac disease (2.5%), and 275 of acute respiratory disease (1.9%) (some patients had multiple types of morbidity). The sensitivities (15.3–64.8%), specificities (56.8–96.1%), and positive predictive values (22.3–44.5%) of the three MEWS criteria ranged widely for overall morbidity, as well as for each morbidity subcategory. Of patients with any morbidity, 28% met criteria for the most liberal vital sign combination, while only 2% met criteria for the most restrictive parameters, compared with 14 and 1% of patients without morbidity, respectively. Sensitivity for all combinations was low (maximum 28.2%), while specificity for all combinations was high, ranging from 86.1 to 99.3%. Conclusion Though all MEWS criteria demonstrated poor sensitivity for maternal morbidity, permutations of the most abnormal vital signs have high specificity, suggesting that MEWS may be better implemented as a trigger tool for morbidity reduction strategies in the highest risk patients, rather than a general screen. Key Points MEWS have poor sensitivity for maternal morbidity. MEWS can be optimized for high specificity using modified criteria. MEWS could be better used as a trigger tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective Maternal race and ethnicity have been identified as significant independent predictors of obstetric morbidity and mortality in the United States. An appreciation of the clinical contexts in which maternal racial and ethnic disparities are most pronounced can better target efforts to alleviate these disparities and improve outcomes. It remains unknown whether cesarean delivery precipitates these divergent outcomes. This study assessed the association between maternal race and ethnicity and cesarean complications. Study Design We conducted a retrospective cohort study from a multicenter observational cohort of women undergoing cesarean delivery. Nulliparous women with non-anomalous singleton gestations who underwent primary cesarean section were included. Race/ethnicity was categorized as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, or unknown. The primary outcome was a composite of maternal cesarean complications including hysterectomy, uterine atony, blood transfusion, surgical injury, arterial ligation, infection, wound complication, and ileus. A composite of neonatal morbidity was evaluated as a secondary outcome. We created a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for selected demographic and obstetric variables that may influence the likelihood of the primary outcome. Results A total of 14,570 women in the parent trial met inclusion criteria with an 18.8% incidence of the primary outcome (2,742 women). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, maternal surgical morbidity was found to be significantly higher for non-Hispanic Black (adjusted odds ratios [aORs] 1.96, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 1.63–2.35) and Hispanic (aOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.37–2.01) women as compared with non-Hispanic white women. Neonatal morbidity was similarly found to be significantly associated with the Black race and Hispanic ethnicity. Conclusion In this cohort, the odds of cesarean-related maternal and neonatal morbidity were significantly higher for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women. These findings suggest race as a distinct risk factor for cesarean complications, and efforts to alleviate disparities should highlight cesarean section as an opportunity for improvement in outcomes. Key Points Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women experienced more cesarean complications than non-Hispanic White women. These findings suggest that disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes exist specifically following cesarean section. Efforts to alleviate disparities in obstetrics should highlight cesarean section as an opportunity for improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The objectives of this study were to determine (1) whether obstetrical patients were more likely to be admitted from the emergency department (ED) for influenza compared with nonpregnant women, and (2) require critical care interventions once admitted. Study Design Using data from the 2006 to 2011 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample, ED encounters for influenza for women aged 15 to 54 years without underlying chronic medical conditions were identified. Women were categorized as pregnant or nonpregnant using billing codes. Multivariable log linear models were fit to evaluate the relative risk of admission from the ED and the risk of intensive care unit (ICU)-level interventions including mechanical ventilation and central monitoring with pregnancy status as the exposure of interest. Measures of association were described with adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Results We identified 15.9 million ED encounters for influenza of which 4% occurred among pregnant women. Pregnant patients with influenza were nearly three times as likely to be admitted as nonpregnant patients (aRR = 2.99, 95% CI: 2.94, 3.05). Once admitted, obstetric patients were at 72% higher risk of ICU-level interventions (aRR = 1.72, 95% CI: 1.61, 1.84). Of pregnant women admitted from the ED, 9.3% required ICU-level interventions such as mechanical ventilation or central monitoring. Older patients and those with Medicare were also at high risk of admission and ICU-level interventions (p < 0.01). Conclusion Pregnancy confers three times the risk of admission from the ED for influenza and pregnant women are significantly more likely to require ICU-level medical interventions compared with women of similar age. These findings confirm the significant disease burden from influenza in the obstetric population and the public health importance of reducing infection risk. Key Points Pregnancy confers three times the risk of admission from the ED for influenza. Pregnant women admitted with influenza are significantly more likely to require ICU-level care. Influenza represents a significant disease burden in the obstetric population [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study aimed to characterize risk for postpartum complications based on specific hypertensive diagnosis at delivery. Study Design  This retrospective cohort study used the 2010 to 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify 60-day postpartum readmissions. Delivery hospitalizations were categorized based on hypertensive diagnoses as follows: (1) preeclampsia with severe features, (2) superimposed preeclampsia, (3) chronic hypertension, (4) preeclampsia without severe features, (5) gestational hypertension, or (6) no hypertensive diagnosis. Risks for 60-day readmission was determined based on hypertensive diagnosis at delivery. The following adverse outcomes during readmissions were analyzed: (1) stroke, (2) pulmonary edema and heart failure, (3) eclampsia, and (4) severe maternal morbidity (SMM). We fit multivariable log-linear regression models to assess the magnitude of association between hypertensive diagnoses at delivery and risks for readmission and associated complications with adjusted risk ratios (aRR) as measures of effect. Results  From 2010 to 2014, 15.7 million estimated delivery hospitalizations were included in the analysis. Overall risk for 60-day postpartum readmission was the highest among women with superimposed preeclampsia (6.6%), followed by preeclampsia with severe features (5.2%), chronic hypertension (4.0%), preeclampsia without severe features (3.9%), gestational hypertension (2.9%), and women without a hypertensive diagnosis (1.5%). In adjusted analyses for pulmonary edema and heart failure as the outcome, risks were the highest for preeclampsia with severe features (aRR = 7.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 6.03, 10.14), superimposed preeclampsia (aRR = 8.21, 95% CI: 5.79, 11.63), and preeclampsia without severe features (aRR = 8.87, 95% CI: 7.06, 11.15). In the adjusted model for stroke, risks were similarly highest for these three hypertensive diagnoses. Evaluating risks for SMM during postpartum readmission, chronic hypertension and superimposed preeclampsia were associated with the highest risks. Conclusion  Chronic hypertension was associated with increased risk for a broad range of adverse postpartum outcomes. Risk estimates associated with chronic hypertension with and without superimposed preeclampsia were similar to preeclampsia with severe features for several outcomes. Key Points Chronic hypertension was associated with increased risk for a broad range of adverse outcomes. Close postpartum follow-up is required if hypertension is present at delivery. The majority of readmissions occurred within 10 days after delivery hospitalization discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective While the majority of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during pregnancy events resolve with anticoagulation, long-term complications may occur including (1) postthrombotic syndrome and (2) chronic pulmonary embolism. The objective of this study was to determine risk of these two complications. Study Design A retrospective cohort study using the MarketScan databases was performed on deliveries from 2008 to 2014. We identified women aged 15 to 54 years diagnosed with acute VTE during pregnancy, the delivery hospitalization, or ≤60 days postpartum who received at least one prescription postpartum for anticoagulants. Risks of (1) chronic PE and (2) postthrombotic syndrome were evaluated for women at 6, 12, 24, and 60 months after delivery hospitalization through 2017 via the International Classification of Diseases, 9th/10th Revision, Clinical Modification codes. Results Of 4,267 of 4,128,900 pregnancies complicated by VTE, the majority had DVT alone (61.8%, n = 2,637), while 25.8% had PE alone (n = 1,103) and 12.4% (n = 527) had both DVT and PE. Of the entire cohort, 3,328 retained insurance coverage at 6 months, 2,823 at 12 months, 2,161 at 24 months, and 831 at 60 months. Restricted to DVT, risk of postthrombotic syndrome was 0.7% at 6 months (n = 17), 1.1% at 12 months (n = 22), 1.7% at 24 months (n = 26), and 2.7% at 60 months (n = 16). Among women with PE diagnoses, the risk of chronic PE was 2.4% at 6 months (n = 30), 3.3% at 12 months (n = 36), 4.2% at 24 months (n = 36), and 7.2% at 60 months (n = 24). Conclusion In comparison to the general population, the risk of postthrombotic syndrome was lower. In comparison, the risk of chronic PE was similar to the estimates in the general population at comparable time points after PE events. For women with obstetric PE, it may be appropriate to be vigilant for findings and symptoms associated with chronic PE. Key Points Risk of postthrombotic syndrome after obstetric deep vein thrombosis is low. Risk of chronic pulmonary embolism may approximate that in the general population. Overall risk of chronic complications after obstetric VTE was relatively low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study aimed to assess risk for fetal acidemia, low Apgar scores, and hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy based on decision-to-incision time interval in the setting of emergency cesarean delivery. Study Design  This unplanned secondary analysis of the Maternal–Fetal Medicine Units prospective observational cesarean registry dataset evaluated risk for hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, umbilical cord pH ≤7.0, and Apgar score ≤4 at 5 minutes based on decision-to-incision time for emergency cesarean deliveries. Cesarean occurring for nonreassuring fetal heart rate monitoring, bleeding previa, nonreassuring antepartum testing, placental abruption, or cord prolapse was classified as emergent. Decision-to-incision time was categorized as <10 minutes, 10 to <20 minutes, 20 to <30 minutes, 30 to <50 minutes, or ≥50 minutes. As secondary outcomes umbilical cord pH ≤7.1, umbilical artery pH ≤7.0, and Apgar score ≤5 at 5 minutes were analyzed. Results  Of 5,784 women included in the primary analysis, 12.4% had a decision-to-incision interval ≤10 minutes, 20.2% 11 to 20 minutes, 14.9% 21 to 30 minutes, 18.2% 31 to 50 minutes, and 16.5% >50 minutes. Risk for umbilical cord pH ≤7.0 was highest at ≤10 and 11 to 20 minutes (10.2 and 7.9%, respectively), and lowest at 21 to 30 minutes (3.9%), 31 to 50 minutes (3.9%), and >50 minutes (3.5%) (p  < 0.01). Risk for Apgar scores ≤4 at 5 minutes was also higher with decision-to-incision intervals ≤10 and 11 to 20 minutes (4.3 and 4.4%, respectively) compared with intervals of 21 to 30 minutes (1.7%), 31 to 50 minutes (2.1%), and >50 minutes (2.0%) (p  < 0.01). Hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy occurred in 1.5 and 1.0% of women with decision-to-incision intervals of ≤10 and 11 to 20 minutes compared with 0.3 and 0.5% for women with decision-to-incision intervals of 21 to 30 minutes and 31 to 50 minutes (p  = 0.04). Risk for secondary outcomes was also higher with shorter decision-to-incision intervals. Conclusion  Shorter decision-to-incision times were associated with increased risk for adverse outcomes in the setting of emergency cesarean. Key Points Shorter intervals likely occur with higher risk cases. Shorter intervals were associated with higher neonatal risk. Shorter intervals were associated with low cord pH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study aimed to determine whether receiving a proton-pump inhibitor (PPI) prescription during pregnancy was associated with decreased risk for preeclampsia. Study Design  The Truven Health MarketScan database was used to determine whether receiving a PPI prescription was associated with risk for preeclampsia. Risk for preeclampsia was evaluated based on the presence or absence of receiving a PPI prescription (1) any time during pregnancy, and 2) individually during the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd trimesters. In addition to evaluating risk for all preeclampsia, severe preeclampsia and preterm severe preeclampsia were evaluated. Adjusted models including risk factors such as chronic hypertension, maternal age, multiple gestation, and diabetes were performed with adjusted risk ratios (aRR) with 95% confidence intervals [CIs] as measures of effect. Results  A total of 2,755,885 women were included in the analysis of whom 69,249 were prescribed a PPI during pregnancy (2.5%). In adjusted models, receiving a PPI prescription anytime during pregnancy (aRR 1.28, 95% CI 1.24–1.32), the 1st trimester (aRR 1.12, 95% CI 1.04–1.22), the 2nd trimester (aRR 1.20, 95% CI 1.15–1.26), and the 3rd trimester (aRR 1.41, 95% CI 1.35–1.47) were all associated with increased risk for preeclampsia. Risk for severe preeclampsia was also significantly increased with receiving a PPI prescription anytime during pregnancy (aRR 1.21, 95% CI 1.15–1.27), during the 2nd trimester (aRR 1.14, 95% CI 1.06–1.23), and during the 3rd trimester (aRR 1.33, 95% CI 1.24–1.43), but not the first trimester (aRR 1.04, 95% CI 0.92–1.19). Evaluating the risk for preterm severe preeclampsia, adjusted risk was significantly increased with receiving a PPI prescription in the second trimester (aRR 1.35, 95% CI 1.21–1.52) but not the first trimester (aRR 1.06, 95% CI 0.86–1.32). Conclusion  In this analysis of payer data, receiving a PPI prescription during pregnancy was not associated with decreased risk for preeclampsia. Further empiric research is required to determine whether an effect may be present. Key Points Proton pump inhibitors were not associated with decreased risk for preeclampsia. Proton pump inhibitors were not associated with decreased risk for severe preterm preeclampsia. Proton pump inhibitors are commonly prescribed during pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study aimed to analyze whether hospital safety-net burden status is associated with increased risk for severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and postpartum readmissions. Study Design  The 2010 to 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database was utilized for this retrospective cohort study. Hospitals were categorized as high-burden hospitals (25% of hospitals with the highest safety-net burden), medium-burden hospitals (50% of hospitals with intermediate safety-net burden), and low-burden hospitals (25% of hospitals with the lowest safety-net burden) based on the proportions of Medicaid or uninsured patients. Risk for (1) SMM, (2) 60-day postpartum readmissions, and (3) SMM during postpartum readmissions was analyzed. Unadjusted and adjusted log-linear regression models were performed, respectively, for these outcomes with unadjusted risk ratio (RR) and adjusted RR (aRR) as measures of effect. Adjusted models included demographic, hospital, and clinical factors. Results  High-burden safety-net status was associated with increased risk for SMM compared with low-burden safety-net status in both unadjusted (RR: 1.51, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.50–1.53) and adjusted analyses (aRR: 1.27, 95% CI: 1.25–1.30). High-burden status was also associated with increased risk for readmissions in unadjusted analyses (RR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.40–1.44), although this risk was attenuated in adjusted analyses (aRR: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.06–1.08). High-burden status was associated with significantly increased risk for readmission for uterine infections, hypertensive diseases of pregnancy, and psychiatric diagnoses. High-burden status was not associated with severe morbidity during readmissions in adjusted or unadjusted analyses (RR: 1.02, 95% CI: 0.98–1.05; aRR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92–0.99). Conclusion  This study found that high safety-net burden hospitals may be a higher risk setting for obstetric care. Improvement of outcomes in high-burden settings may be important in overall efforts to reduce maternal risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  To review obstetric personnel absences at a hospital during the initial peak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection risk in New York City from March 25 to April 21, 2020. Study Design  This retrospective study evaluated absences at Morgan Stanley Children's Hospital. Clinical absences for (1) Columbia University ultrasonographers, (2) inpatient nurses, (3) labor and delivery operating room (OR) technicians, (4) inpatient obstetric nurse assistants, and (5) attending physicians providing inpatient obstetric services were analyzed. Causes of absences were analyzed and classified as illness, vacation and holidays, leave, and other causes. Categorical variables were compared with the chi-square test or Fisher's exact test. Results  For nurses, absences accounted for 1,052 nursing workdays in 2020 (17.2% of all workdays) compared with 670 (11.1%) workdays in 2019 (p  < 0.01). Significant differentials in days absent in 2020 compared with 2019 were present for (1) postpartum nurses (21.9% compared with 12.9%, p  < 0.01), (2) labor and delivery nurses (14.8% compared with 10.6%, p  < 0.01), and (3) antepartum nurses (10.2% compared with 7.4%, p  = 0.03). Evaluating nursing assistants, 24.3% of workdays were missed in 2020 compared with 17.4% in 2019 (p  < 0.01). For ultrasonographers, there were 146 absences (25.2% of workdays) in 2020 compared with 96 absences (16.0% of workdays) in 2019 (p  < 0.01). The proportion of workdays missed by OR technicians was 22.6% in 2020 and 18.3% in 2019 (p  = 0.25). Evaluating attending physician absences, a total of 78 workdays were missed due to documented COVID-19 infection. Evaluating the causes of absences, illness increased significantly between 2019 and 2020 for nursing assistants (42.6 vs. 57.4%, p  = 0.02), OR technicians (17.1 vs. 55.9%, p  < 0.01), and nurses (15.5 vs. 33.7%, p  < 0.01). Conclusion  COVID-19 outbreak surge planning represents a major operational issue for medical specialties such as critical care due to increased clinical volume. Findings from this analysis suggest it is prudent to devise backup staffing plans. Key Points 1) COVID-19 outbreak surge planning represents a major operational issue for obstetrics. 2) Inpatient obstetric volume cannot be reduced. 3) Staffing contingencies plans for nurses, sonographers, and physicians may be required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study aimed to assess risk for postpartum psychiatric admissions in the United States. Study Design  This study used the 2010 to 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database to identify psychiatric admissions during the first 60 days after delivery hospitalization. Timing of admission after delivery discharge was determined. We fit multivariable log-linear regression models to assess the impact of psychiatric comorbidity on admission risk, adjusting for patient, obstetrical, and hospital factors. Results  Of 15.7 million deliveries from 2010 to 2014, 11,497 women (0.07%) were readmitted for a primary psychiatric diagnosis within 60 days postpartum. Psychiatric admissions occurred relatively consistently across 10-day periods after delivery hospitalization discharge. Psychiatric diagnoses were present among 5% of women at delivery but 40% of women who were readmitted postpartum for a psychiatric indication. In the adjusted model, women with psychiatric diagnoses at delivery hospitalization were 9.7 times more likely to be readmitted compared with those without psychiatric comorbidity. Women at highest risk for psychiatric admission were those with Medicare and Medicaid, in lower income quartiles, and of younger age. Conclusion  While a large proportion of psychiatric admissions occurred among a relatively small proportion of at-risk women, admissions occurred over a broad temporal period relative to other indications for postpartum admission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study aimed to evaluate temporal trends in opioid use disorder (OUD) during antepartum and postpartum hospitalizations. Study Design  This repeated cross-sectional analysis analyzed data from the National (Nationwide) Inpatient Sample. Women aged 15 to 54 years admitted antepartum or postpartum were identified. The presence of OUD was determined based on a diagnosis of opioid abuse, opioid dependence, or opioid overdose. Temporal trends in OUD were evaluated using the Rao–Scott chi-square test. Temporal trends in opioid overdose were additionally evaluated. Results  An estimated 7,336,562 antepartum hospitalizations and 1,063,845 postpartum readmissions were included in this analysis. The presence of an OUD diagnosis during antepartum hospitalizations increased from 0.7% of patients in 1998 to 1999 to 2.9% in 2014 (p  < 0.01) and during postpartum hospitalizations increased from 0.8% of patients in 1998 to 1999 to 2.1% of patients in 2014 (p  < 0.01). Risk of overdose diagnoses increased significantly for both antepartum hospitalizations, from 22.7 per 100,000 hospitalizations in 1998 to 2000 to 70.3 per 100,000 hospitalizations in 2013 to 2014 (p  < 0.001), and postpartum hospitalizations, from 18.8 per 100,000 hospitalizations in 1998 to 2000 to 65.2 per 100,000 hospitalizations in 2013 to 2014 (p  = 0.02). Discussion  Risk of OUD diagnoses and overdoses increased over the study period for both antepartum and postpartum hospitalizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  This study aimed to determine the receipt of short-acting opioid medications during vaginal delivery hospitalizations. Study Design  The Perspective database was analyzed to evaluate patterns of short-acting oral opioid use during vaginal delivery hospitalizations from January 2006 to March 2015. Unadjusted and adjusted models evaluating the role of demographic and hospital factors were created evaluating use of opioids. Hospital-level rates of opioid use were evaluated. Opioid receipt among women with opioid abuse or dependence was evaluated based on overall hospital rates of opioid use. Results  Of 3,785,396 vaginal delivery hospitalizations from 2006 to 2015, 1,720,899 (45.5%) women received an oral opioid for pain relief. Opioid use varied significantly among the 458 hospitals included in the analysis, with one-third of hospitals providing opioids to <38% of patients, one-third to 38 to <59% of patients, and one-third to ≥59% of patients. When hospitals were stratified by overall opioid administration rates, women with opioid abuse or dependence were less likely to be given opioids in hospitals with low overall opioid rates. Discussion  The use of opioid pain medications during vaginal delivery hospitalizations varied significantly among hospitals, suggesting that standardization of pain management practices could reduce opioid use. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  To determine if women with an antepartum admission for hypertensive diseases of pregnancy (HDP) were at increased risk for stillbirth. Study Design  This study utilized the 2010 to 2014 Nationwide Readmissions Database. Antepartum admissions with HDP were identified and linked to subsequent delivery hospitalizations. Delivery hospitalizations with HDP without a preceding antepartum HDP admission were also identified. Risk for stillbirth, abruption, or both was compared between these two groups. Results  An estimated 382,621 deliveries with an HDP diagnosis were identified of which 14,857 (3.9%) had a preceding antepartum admission for HDP. Stillbirth occurred in 7.8 per 1,000 delivery hospitalizations complicated by HDP with risk higher with a preceding HDP antepartum admission in both unadjusted (1.1 vs. 0.8%, risk ratios [RR] 1.46, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24–1.70) and adjusted (adjusted risk ratios [aRR] 1.24, 95% CI 1.06, 1.46) analyses. Abruption occurred in 19.6 per 1,000 delivery hospitalizations complicated by HDP with risk higher with a preceding HDP antepartum admission in both unadjusted (2.5 vs. 1.9%, RR 1.30, 95% CI 1.17–1.44) and adjusted (aRR 1.24, 95% CI 1.11, 1.37) analyses. Risk for combined abruption and stillbirth did not differ significantly. Conclusion  In this analysis, prior antenatal hospitalization was associated with increased risk for stillbirth among women with HDP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  Trends in use of antibiotics during delivery hospitalizations complicated by (1) 3rd/4th degree vaginal lacerations, (2) manual placenta extraction, and (3) uterine tamponade are not well characterized. The objective of this study was to analyze trends in antibiotic use during vaginal delivery hospitalizations complicated by these three clinical scenarios. Study Design  An administrative inpatient database was used to perform a serial cross-sectional analysis of antibiotic administration during delivery hospitalizations in the United States from January 2006 to March 2015. The primary outcome was receipt of antibiotics during vaginal delivery hospitalizations complicated by (1) 3rd and 4th degree vaginal lacerations, (2) manual placenta extraction, and (3) uterine tamponade. Patients with other indications for antibiotics were excluded. The Cochran–Armitage test was used to assess trends. Adjusted log linear regression analyses including demographic, hospital, and obstetric factors were performed to analyze factors associated with antibiotic receipt for each of these three clinical scenarios in both primary and sensitivity analyses. Results  From 2006 to 2015 the rate of antibiotic administration during delivery hospitalizations decreased from 43.1% in 2006 to 25.5% for 3rd and 4th degree lacerations and from 59.6% to 49.2% for manual extraction (p  < 0.01). Administration of antibiotics in the setting of uterine tamponade decreased from 48.6% in 2006 to 27.6% in 2009 before rising to 62.5% in the first quarter of 2015. In adjusted analyses, comparing the first quarter of 2015 to 2006 adjusted risk ratios for antibiotic administration were 0.61 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.56–0.66) for 3rd and 4th degree vaginal lacerations, 0.76 (95% CI 0.53–1.09) for manual placental extraction, and 0.83 (95% CI 0.76–0.92) for uterine tamponade. Conclusion  Antibiotics are not used consistently during vaginal deliveries complicated by 3rd/4th degree lacerations, manual placenta extraction, and uterine tamponade. These findings support that a significant opportunity exists for comparative effectiveness research to assist in characterizing best practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective  To characterize risk and temporal trends for preeclampsia and related outcomes by maternal age. Study Design  Deliveries to women aged 15 to 54 years in the 1998 to 2014 National Inpatient Sample who had a diagnosis of preeclampsia, eclampsia, or both were included in the analysis. Age was categorized as 15 to 17, 18 to 24, 25 to 29, 30 to 34, 35 to 39, 40 to 44, and 45 to 54 years. The primary outcome was temporal trends in preeclampsia based on maternal age. Secondary outcomes analyzed included risk for severe maternal morbidity. Results  The proportion of women with preeclampsia aged 15 to 24 years decreased from 42.3% in 1998 to 30.1% in 2014, while preeclampsia among those 30 to 54 years increased from 32.9 to 43.7%. Preeclampsia risk increased for all groups over the study period. Risk for severe morbidity by age group with and without transfusion was "U-shaped," with risk highest for women 18 to 24 and 40 to 54 years. The risk for abruption, acute renal failure, acute heart failure or pulmonary edema, and stroke was lowest for women aged 15 to 24 years and increased in a "dose-dependent" manner with increasing maternal age. In contrast, eclampsia risk was highest for women aged 15 to 17 years. Conclusion  With a changing demographic profile of preeclampsia, older women accounted for an increasing proportion of preeclampsia and related adverse outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2021, the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant rapidly proliferated and became dominant. Some but not all research evidence supports that Delta was associated with increased maternal risk. The purpose of this study was to determine whether Delta was associated with risk for cardiac and respiratory complications in a national sample. Of an estimated 3,495,188 delivery hospitalizations in 2021, 1.8% of pre-Delta deliveries (n=29,580) (January-June) and 2.1% of Delta-period deliveries (n=37,545) (July-December) had a COVID-19 diagnosis. The Delta period was associated with increased adjusted odds of respiratory complications (aOR 1.54, 95% CI 1.41, 1.69) and cardiac SMM (aOR 1.54, 95% CI 1.40, 1.69). Among deliveries with a COVID diagnosis, the Delta period was associated with higher incidence of respiratory complications (8.4% versus 3.7%) and cardiac SMM (8.4% versus 3.5%) (p<0.01 for both). These findings corroborate prior clinical studies suggesting that the Delta strain was associated with an increased maternal population-level clinical burden., Competing Interests: Dr. Wen serves as a consultant on the medical advisory board for Delfina, Inc. Dr. Friedman is supported by funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (1UG3HD111247, 1R01HD104943, and other grants) however this funding was not used to support this research. Dr. Friedman has served on an advisory board for Sage and Biogen., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: Given that updated estimates of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and risks for obstetric complications including postpartum readmission may be of public health significance, we sought to analyze associated obstetric trends and outcomes in a nationally representative population., Study Design: The 2016 to 2020 Nationwide Readmissions Database was used for this retrospective cohort study. Delivery hospitalizations to women aged 15 to 54 with and without Ehlers-Danlos syndrome were identified. Temporal trends in Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnoses during delivery hospitalizations were analyzed using joinpoint regression to estimate the average annual percent change with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). To determine whether adverse obstetric outcomes during the delivery were associated with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were fit with unadjusted (odds ratio [OR]) and adjusted ORs with 95% CIs as measures of association. In addition to analyzing adverse delivery outcomes, risk for 60-day postpartum readmission was analyzed., Results: An estimated 18,214,542 delivery hospitalizations were included of which 7,378 (4.1 per 10,000) had an associated diagnosis of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnosis increased from 2.7 to 5.2 per 10,000 delivery hospitalization from 2016 to 2020 (average annual percent change increase of 16.1%, 95% CI: 9.4%, 23.1%). Ehlers-Danlos syndrome was associated with increased odds of nontransfusion severe maternal morbidity (OR: 1.84, 95% CI: 1.38, 2.45), cervical insufficiency (OR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.46, 3.13), postpartum hemorrhage (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.68), cesarean delivery (OR: 1.26, 95% CI: 1.17, 1.36), and preterm delivery (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.16, 1.56). Estimates for transfusion, placental abruption, and placenta previa did not differ significantly. Risk for 60-day postpartum readmission was 3.0% among deliveries with Ehlers-Danlos (OR: 1.76, 95% CI: 1.37, 2.25)., Conclusion: Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnoses approximately doubled over the 5-year study period and was associated with a range of adverse obstetric outcomes and complications during delivery hospitalizations as well as risk for postpartum readmission., Key Points: · Ehlers-Danlos syndrome diagnoses approximately doubled over the 5-year study period.. · Ehlers-Danlos was associated with a range of adverse obstetric outcomes.. · Ehlers-Danlos was associated with increased readmission risk.., Competing Interests: Dr. D'Alton had a senior leadership role in American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists II's Safe Motherhood Initiative, which received unrestricted funding from Merck for Mothers. Dr. Friedman is supported by funding from the Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (1R01HD104943); however, this funding was not used to support this research. Dr. Friedman has served on an advisory board for Sage and Biogen. Dr. Wen serves as a consultant on the medical advisory board for Delfina, Inc. The other authors did not report any potential conflicts of interest., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate cesarean rates and risk for obstetric complications among deliveries with a history of prior uterine surgery., Study Design: This serial cross-sectional study analyzed deliveries with and without prior uterine surgery in the 2016-2019 Nationwide Inpatient Sample. Unadjusted and adjusted logistic regression models were performed to assess risk of nontransfusion severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and other obstetric complications based on the presence or absence of prior uterine surgery with unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (aORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) as measures of association. Adjusted models accounted for demographic, hospital, and delivery factors. Demographics and clinical factors among deliveries with and without a prior history of uterine surgery diagnosis were compared with the chi-square test with p  < 0.05 considered statistically significant., Results: Of 14.7 million delivery hospitalization identified, 6,910 (4.7 per 10,000) had a history of uterine surgery and 111,710 (0.76%) experienced SMM. Women with prior uterine surgery were more likely to be older, to be of unknown race or ethnicity, and to have private insurance ( p  < 0.01 for all). Eighty-five percent of deliveries with prior uterine surgery were performed by cesarean compared with 32% of deliveries without prior uterine surgery ( p  < 0.01). In adjusted analysis, compared with patients without prior uterine surgery, patients with prior uterine surgery were not at increased risk for SMM (aOR 1.23, 95% CI 0.73-2.07). Evaluating obstetric complications, patients with prior uterine surgery had a decreased risk of postpartum hemorrhage (aOR 0.64, 95% CI 0.43-0.96) and an increased risk of peripartum hysterectomy (aOR 4.12, 95% CI 1.75-9.67), and no difference in other obstetric complications assessed., Conclusion: These findings suggest that current clinical practice results in similar delivery risks among patients with compared with without prior uterine surgery., Key Points: · Risk for most adverse outcomes is similar among patients with prior uterine surgery.. · Risk for peripartum hysterectomy was higher with prior uterine surgery.. · Risk for SMM was not higher with prior uterine surgery.., Competing Interests: A.M.F. has also served on an advisory board for Biogen and Sage. T.W. serves as a consultant on the medical advisory board for Delfina, Inc. C.A. serves as a consultant for Cooper Surgical and Intuitive., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Objective: To determine whether a state-level initiative to reduce obstetric venous thromboembolism (VTE) risk affected outcomes and process measures., Methods: In 2013, the Safe Motherhood Initiative (SMI) developed a VTE safety bundle to reduce obstetric VTE risk. A total of 117 of 124 hospitals providing obstetrical services in New York participated in SMI. Data evaluating thromboembolism events (deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism) and thromboprophylaxis process measures were collected from March through November 2015., Results: A total of 107 hospitals, in any individual quarter, reported data on each of the VTE bundle outcomes and measures. Centers that provided low-risk care (Level 1 centers) reported the lowest rate of bundle implementation at the end of the study period (55.6%). Mechanical prophylaxis for a cesarean was common at all centers. Hospitals that adopted the bundle were more likely to provide routine pharmacologic prophylaxis for women undergoing cesarean. The risk of VTE did not differ by bundle implementation., Conclusion: While adoption of the SMI VTE bundle occurred at a majority of centers across New York, uptake was less likely at low-acuity centers. Bundle adoption was associated with implementation of recommended practices. The rare nature of VTE events underscores the need for large data samples to determine the best prophylaxis strategies., Competing Interests: None., (Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.)