Flat trend of high caesarean section rates in Peru: A pooled analysis of 3,376,062 births from the national birth registry, 2012 to 2020

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on small vulnerable newborns: an interrupted time series analysis in Peru and Brazil

Background

We examined COVID-19's impact on the number of small vulnerable newborns (SVN) at national and regional levels in Peru and Brazil.

Methods

Using national birth registries, we examined monthly numbers of preterm (PT), low birthweight (LBW), and small for gestational age (SGA) newborns. We analysed COVID-19's impact on SVN using two interrupted time series models. We estimated SVN's expected numbers in the absence of the pandemic using mixed-effects regressions and calculated percent changes by comparing these estimates to observed during the pandemic. Incidence rate ratios (IRR) were estimated using Poisson regression.

Results

In Peru, the average percent changes in PT, LBW, and SGA births were -17%, -11%, and -3% in 2020, and -10%, -4%, and +2% in 2021, respectively. The IRR of PT and LBW declined throughout the pandemic, while SGA IRR increased in August 2020-November 2020 and May 2021-December 2021. The Coast region experienced the greatest drop in PT, LBW, and SGA IRR in 2020, followed by a slight increase in 2021, whereas the Highlands and Amazon regions had increased LBW and SGA IRR. In Brazil, the percent changes in PT, LBW, and SGA births were +1%, -3%, and -8% in 2020, and +1%, 0%, and -1% in 2021, respectively. Most PT, LBW, and SGA IRRs decreased during the pandemic, except in the Northeast and Southeast regions, where PT increased in 2020. All regions experienced declines in LBW and SGA in 2020, with the Central-West and South regions showing the greatest LBW declines and Central-West region the highest SGA decrease.

Conclusions

No significant worsening of neonatal outcomes were observed during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Peru, PT and LBW births declined, while SGA increased from August 2020. In Brazil, PT births slightly increased, while LBW and SGA births declined in 2020, remaining stable in 2021.

Vulnerable newborn phenotypes in Peru: a population-based study of 3,841,531 births at national and subnational levels from 2012 to 2021

Background

We aimed to examine the national and subnational prevalence of vulnerable newborn phenotypes in Peru, 2012-2021.

Methods

Newborn phenotypes were defined using gestational age (preterm [PT], term [T]), birthweight for gestational age using INTERGROWTH-21st standards (small for gestational age [SGA], appropriate for gestational age [AGA] or large for gestational age [LGA]), and birthweight (low birthweight [LBW], non-LBW) using the Peruvian National Birth Registry as six (by excluding birthweight) and ten newborn phenotypes (using all three outcomes). Small phenotypes (with at least one classification of PT, SGA, or LBW) were further considered. Using individual-level data, we stratified the phenotypes by maternal educational level, maternal age, healthcare insurance, altitude of residence, and geographic region (Coast, Andes, and Amazon).

Findings

The prevalence of the five vulnerable newborn phenotypes for the study period was LGA+T (15.2%), AGA+PT (5.2%), SGA+T (4.6%), LGA+PT (0.8%), and SGA+PT (0.7%). The Coast had a higher prevalence of newborns with large phenotypes (19.4%) and the Highlands a higher prevalence of newborns with small phenotypes (12.5%). Mothers with poor socioeconomic status, extreme ages and living at high altitude had a higher prevalence of newborns with small phenotypes, and mothers who were wealthier, more educated, and older had a higher prevalence of infants with large phenotypes.

Interpretation

Our findings cautiously suggest that socioeconomic and geographic disparities may play a crucial role in shaping vulnerable newborn phenotypes at national and subnational level in Peru. Further studies using longitudinal data are needed to corroborate our findings and to identify individual-level risk factors.

Funding

Ter Meulen Grant from the KNAW Medical Sciences Fund of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences (KNAWWF/1085/TMB406, KNAWWF/1327/TMB202116), Fogarty Program (D43TW011502).

Cesarean delivery rates based on time and indication using the Robson Ten-Group Classification System: Assessment at a Turkish tertiary center

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate increasing cesarean delivery (CD) rates, their causes, and changes over the years in a Turkish tertiary center using the Robson Ten-Group Classification System (RTGCS).

METHODS

Data of deliveries involving birth weight of ≥500 g or ≥24 weeks of gestation period from 2013 to 2020 were retrospectively collected and classified from the hospital digital record system using obstetric concepts and parameters described in the RTGCS.

RESULTS

The overall CD rate for all births (69051) from 2013 to 2020 was 55.5%. Groups 3, 5, and 1 were the most represented groups (29.1%, 23.9%, and 19.4%, respectively). The major contributors to the overall CD rate were Groups 5, 2, and 10 (23.8%, 9.9%, and 5.6%, respectively). Groups 2 and 4 (nullipara, multipara, single cephalic at term) had high CD rates associated with high rates of pre-labor CD (88.9% and 73.3%, respectively). The CD rate was 99.7% in Group 5, which showed recurrent CD, and 67.2% in Group 10. The overall CD rate was 60.8% in 2020 owing to the significant increase in the contributions by Groups 5, 8, and 10. The most common indication for CD was previous CD (46.1%), fetal distress (13.2%), and cephalopelvic disproportion (CPD) (8%).

CONCLUSION

Groups 1, 2, 5, and 10 were the major contributors to the overall CD rate at this tertiary center. To reduce overall CD rates, policies that reduce primary CD and support vaginal delivery after cesarean section should be established.