scholarly journals Health Selection into Eviction: Adverse Birth Outcomes and Children’s Risk of Eviction through Age 5

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gabriel L Schwartz ◽  
Kathryn M Leifheit ◽  
Lisa F Berkman ◽  
Jarvis T Chen ◽  
Mariana C Arcaya
Keyword(s):  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Birth Outcome ◽  
Rental Housing ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Future Health ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Hospital Stays

Abstract Adverse birth outcomes put children at increased risk of poor future health. They also put families under sudden socioeconomic and psychological strain, which has poorly understood consequences. In this paper, we test whether infants experiencing an adverse birth outcome—low birthweight or prematurity, as well as lengthy hospital stays—are more likely to be evicted in early childhood, through age 5. We analyze 5,655 observations contributed by 2,115 participants in the Fragile Families and Child Wellbeing Study—a national, randomly sampled cohort of infants born in large US cities between 1998 and 2000—living in rental housing at baseline. We fit proportional hazards models using piecewise logistic regression, controlling for an array of confounders and applying inverse probability of selection weights. We find that being born low birthweight/preterm is associated with a 1.74-fold increase in children’s hazard of eviction (95%CI=1.02,2.95), while lengthy neonatal hospital stays were independently associated with a relative hazard of 2.50 (CI=1.15,5.44) compared to uncomplicated births. Given recent findings that unstable housing during pregnancy is associated with adverse birth outcomes, our results suggest eviction and health may be cyclical and co-constitutive. Children experiencing adverse birth outcomes are vulnerable to eviction and require additional supports.

scholarly journals Blood pressure trajectories during pregnancy and associations with adverse birth outcomes among HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected women in South Africa: a group-based trajectory modelling approach

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Thokozile R. Malaba ◽  
◽  
Annibale Cois ◽  
Hlengiwe P. Madlala ◽  
Mushi Matjila ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Care Facility ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Multinomial Regression ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Trajectory Group ◽  
The Relationship ◽  
Trajectory Modelling

Abstract Background High blood pressure (BP) late in pregnancy is associated with preterm delivery (PTD); BP has also been associated with HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ART), but whether the relationship between BP assessed longitudinally over pregnancy and PTD and low birthweight (LBW) is modified by HIV/ART is unclear. We hypothesise the presence of distinctive BP trajectories and their association with adverse birth outcomes may be mediated by HIV/ART status. Methods We recruited pregnant women at a large primary care facility in Cape Town. BP was measured throughout pregnancy using automated monitors. Group-based trajectory modelling in women with ≥3 BP measurements identified distinct joint systolic and diastolic BP trajectory groups. Multinomial regression assessed BP trajectory group associations with HIV/ART status, and Poisson regression with robust error variance was used to assess risk of PTD and LBW. Results Of the 1583 women in this analysis, 37% were HIV-infected. Seven joint trajectory group combinations were identified, which were categorised as normal (50%), low normal (25%), high normal (20%), and abnormal (5%). A higher proportion of women in the low normal group were HIV-infected than HIV-uninfected (28% vs. 23%), however differences were not statistically significant (RR 1.27, 95% CI 0.98–1.63, reference category: normal). In multivariable analyses, low normal trajectory (aRR0.59, 0.41–0.85) was associated with decreased risk of PTD, while high normal (aRR1.48, 1.12–1.95) and abnormal trajectories (aRR3.18, 2.32–4.37) were associated with increased risk of PTD, and abnormal with increased risk of LBW (RR2.81, 1.90–4.15). Conclusions While HIV/ART did not appear to mediate the BP trajectories and adverse birth outcomes association, they did provide more detailed insights into the relationship between BP, PTD and LBW for HIV-infected and uninfected women.

scholarly journals Associating antiretroviral therapy initiated before or during pregnancy with placenta pathology in HIV infected women

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nadia M Ikumi ◽  
Thokozile R Malaba ◽  
Komala Pillay ◽  
Marta C Cohen ◽  
Hlengiwe P Madlala ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Antiretroviral Therapy ◽  
Pregnancy Outcome ◽  
Preterm Delivery ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Fixed Dose ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Art Initiation ◽  
Cell Counts ◽  
Increased Risk

ABSTRACTBackgroundAntiretroviral therapy (ART) is universally recommended for all HIV-infected pregnant women to improve survival and to reduce mother-to-child HIV transmission. With widespread use of ART in areas of high HIV prevalence, there is concern that prolonged in-utero ART exposure may result in adverse birth outcomes, such as preterm delivery and low birthweight infants. Underlying drivers of these effects may be found in the placenta.ObjectiveWe examined whole placentas from live births to seek an association between timing of ART initiation and pregnancy outcome.Study DesignThis was a nested sub-study in a larger cohort of HIV-infected women recruited in a large primary care antenatal clinic in Cape Town, South Africa. Whole placentas (n=130) were collected at delivery and examined for histopathology from two ART groups. The stable group (n=53) initiated ART prior to pregnancy and the initiating group (n=77) started ART at a median of 15 weeks gestation. Adverse birth outcomes were defined by preterm delivery (PTD; n=9), small-for-gestational age (SGA; n=12) and low birthweight (LBW; n=11) in the two groups. Wilcoxon rank-sum and t-tests were used to measure differences in placental histopathology by ART group. Binomial and univariate linear regression models, chi-squared or Fisher’s exact test were used to quantify associations between placenta histopathology and maternal factors including ART timing and the association with pregnancy outcome.ResultsWomen in the stable group were significantly older (median [IQR] 33 years [28 - 37] vs 28 [25 - 32]; p=0.003), had higher CD4 cell counts 455 cells/ml [381 - 602] vs 369.5 [251 - 534.5], p=0.04) and were less likely to be prehypertensive or hypertensive at first antenatal care visit (p=0.03) than women in the initiating group. Overall, 119 (91%), women were on a fixed dose regimen of Tenofovir (TDF) + Lamivudine (3TC) + Efavirenz (EFV) and only 3 (2%; all in the stable group) were on a protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimen with no difference between the groups. Overall, nearly a third of placentas were small, although the fetal-placenta weight ratio was in the normal range for most women. Meconium exposure and chorioamnionitis was seen in 19% and 15% of placentas, respectively. Apart from maternal vascular malperfusion (MVM) and decidual arteriopathy, histopathology obervations did not differ significantly between stable and initiating groups. Placentas from the stable group showed increased MVM (39.6% vs 19.4%, p=0.01) and decidual arteriopathy (11.3% vs 1.3%, p=0.02), with a trend of decreased placental weight (392g vs 422g, p=0.09). MVM, in turn, was significantly associated with PTD and LBW (p=0.002 and p<0.0001) and association with SGA was borderline significant (p=0.09).ConclusionART initiation prior to pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of maternal vascular malperfusion and decidual arteriopathy, suggestive of placental dysfunction. The association between MVM with PTD and LBW suggests that a placenta-mediated mechanism may link the putative association between ART and adverse birth outcomes.

scholarly journals Adverse birth outcomes among women who gave births at Eastern Ethiopian Hospitals: a cross sectional study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Teshale Mulatu Dibisa ◽  
Adera Debela Kebede ◽  
Tilaye Feto Gelano ◽  
Yadeta Dessie Bacha ◽  
Kemal Jemal
Keyword(s):  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Birth Outcome ◽  
Multiple Pregnancy ◽  
Neonatal Morbidity ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcome ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Eastern Ethiopia ◽  
History Of

Abstract Background Adverse births outcomes (ABO) such as preterm birth, low birth weight (LBW) and stillbirth are important determining of neonatal morbidity and mortality. It is the major public health problem in low resourced countries. Despite many efforts to reduce neonatal morbidity and mortality, adverse birth outcomes in hospitals has remained high. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the prevalence and factors associated with adverse birth outcomes among women who gave birth at selected public hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia. Methods Facility based cross-sectional study design was conducted in February 2017. Data were collected using a pretested and structured face to face interviewer-administered questionnaire. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze the association between the dependent and independent variables. Results A total of 555 women who give births were involved from four hospitals in Eastern Ethiopia. The prevalence of low birth weight, stillbirth and preterm births were 40(7.2%), 37(6.7%) and 28(5%) respectively. The overall prevalence of adverse birth outcomes was 76(13.7%). Four-ninth 247(44.5%) of mothers had high-risk pregnancies. Hypertension [AOR = 7.25; 95%, CI= (1.71, 30.64)], history of adverse birth outcome [AOR = 12.12; 95%, CI= (6.5, 22.6)], multiple pregnancy [AOR = 6.94; 95%, CI= (2.74, 17.53)] and spontaneous vaginal delivery [AOR = 0.11; 95%, CI= (0.44, 0.16)] were associated with adverse birth outcome. Conclusion In this study adverse birth outcomes were still found as public health problems. Hypertension, history of adverse birth outcome, multiple pregnancy and spontaneous vaginal delivery were significantly associated with ABO. Thus, developing strategies to prevent and treat complications during pregnancy and increasing maternal health utilization at ANC clinics are warranted.

scholarly journals Maternal and Neonatal Outcomes Associated with Psychostimulant Use in Pregnancy

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ximena Camacho ◽  
Alys Havard ◽  
Helga Zoega ◽  
Margaret Wilson ◽  
Tara Gomes ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Neonatal Intensive Care ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Cohort Analysis ◽  
Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Usa ◽  
Maternal And Neonatal Outcomes ◽  
Adverse Pregnancy ◽  
In Pregnancy

IntroductionRecent evidence from the USA and Nordic countries suggests a possible association between psychostimulant use during gestation and adverse pregnancy and birth outcomes. Objectives and ApproachWe employed a distributed cohort analysis using linked administrative data for women who gave birth in New South Wales (NSW; Australia) and Ontario (Canada), whereby a common protocol was implemented separately in each jurisdiction. The study population comprised women who were hospitalized for a singleton delivery over an 8 (NSW) and 4 (Ontario) year period, respectively, with the NSW cohort restricted to social security beneficiaries. Psychostimulant exposure was defined as at least one dispensing of methylphenidate, amphetamine, dextroamphetamine or lisdexamfetamine during pregnancy. We examined the risk of maternal and neonatal outcomes among psychostimulant exposed mothers compared with unexposed mothers. ResultsThere were 140,356 eligible deliveries in NSW and 449,499 in Ontario during the respective study periods. Fewer than 1% of these pregnancies were exposed to psychostimulants during gestation, although use was higher in Ontario (0.30% vs 0.11% in NSW). Preliminary unadjusted analyses indicated possible associations between psychostimulant use in pregnancy and higher risks of pre-term birth (relative risk [RR] 1.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.4-2.0 (Ontario); RR 1.8, 95% CI 1.2-2.6 (NSW)) and pre-eclampsia (RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.5-2.6 (Ontario); RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.2-3.5 (NSW)). Similarly, psychostimulant use was associated with higher risks of low birthweight (RR 1.6, 95% CI 1.3-1.9 (Ontario); RR 2.0, 95% CI 1.3-3.0 (NSW)) and admission to neonatal intensive care (RR 2.1, 95% CI 1.9-2.3 (Ontario); RR 1.5, 95% CI 1.1-1.9 (NSW)). Conclusion / ImplicationsUnadjusted analyses indicate an increased risk of adverse maternal and birth outcomes associated with psychostimulant exposure during pregnancy, potentially representing a placental effect. We are currently refining the analyses, employing propensity score methods to adjust for confounding.

scholarly journals Paternal age and the risk of low birth weight and preterm delivery: a Finnish register-based study

2018 ◽  
Vol 72 (12) ◽  
pp. 1104-1109 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alice Goisis ◽  
Hanna Remes ◽  
Kieron Barclay ◽  
Pekka Martikainen ◽  
Mikko Myrskylä
Keyword(s):  
Birth Weight ◽  
Low Birth Weight ◽  
Preterm Delivery ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Conclusive Evidence ◽  
Paternal Age ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Maternal Characteristics ◽  
Parental Characteristics ◽  
Increased Risk

BackgroundBased on existing studies, there is no conclusive evidence as to whether and why paternal age matters for birth outcomes.MethodsWe used Finnish population registers on 106 652 children born 1987–2000. We first document the unadjusted association between paternal age and the risk of low birth weight (LBW; <2500 g) and preterm birth (<37 weeks’ gestation). Second, we investigate whether the unadjusted association is attenuated on adjustment for child’s, maternal and parental socioeconomic characteristics. Third, by adopting a within-family design which involves comparing children born to the same father at different ages, we additionally adjust for unobserved parental characteristics shared between siblings.ResultsThe unadjusted results show that being born to a father aged 40+, as opposed to a father aged 30–34, is associated with an increased risk of LBW of 0.96% (95% CI 0.5% to 1.3%) and to a younger father (<25) with a 1% (95% CI 0.6% to 1.3%) increased risk. The increased risk at younger paternal ages is halved on adjustment for the child’s characteristics and fully attenuated on adjustment for child/parental characteristics. The increased risk at paternal ages 40+ is partially attenuated on adjustment for maternal characteristics (β=0.62%; 95% CI 0.13% to 1.1%). Adjustment for unobserved parental characteristics shared by siblings further attenuates the 40+ coefficient (β=0.4%; 95% CI −0.5% to −1.2%). Results for preterm delivery are similar.ConclusionsThe results underscore the importance of considering paternal age as a potential risk factor for adverse birth outcomes and of expanding research on its role and the mechanisms linking it to birth outcomes.

scholarly journals Maternal exposure to Wenchuan earthquake and prolonged risk of offspring birth outcomes: a natural experiment study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Qiguo Lian ◽  
Jiaying Ni ◽  
Jun Zhang ◽  
Julian Little ◽  
Shan Luo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Wenchuan Earthquake ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Maternal Exposure ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Reproductive Outcomes ◽  
2008 Wenchuan Earthquake ◽  
The 2008 Wenchuan Earthquake ◽  
Stratified Analysis

Abstract Background The prolonged effects of disasters on reproductive outcomes among the survivors are less studied, and the findings are inconsistent. We examined the associations of maternal exposure to the 2008 Wenchuan earthquake years before conception with adverse birth outcomes. Methods We included 73,493 women who delivered in 96 hospitals in 24 provinces and autonomous regions from the 2015/16 China Labor and Delivery Survey. We weighted the multivariable logistic models based on the combination of coarsened exact matching (CEM) weight and survey weight, and performed sex-stratified analysis to test whether associations of maternal earthquake exposure with adverse birth outcomes (Stillbirth, preterm birth [PTB], low birthweight [LBW], and small for gestational age [SGA]) varied by sex. Results The bivariate models showed that the weighted incidence of each adverse birth outcome was higher in exposed group than unexposed group: stillbirth (2.00% vs. 1.33%), PTB (14.14% vs. 7.32%), LBW (10.82% vs. 5.76%), and SGA (11.32% vs. 9.52%). The multivariable models showed maternal earthquake exposure was only associated significantly with a higher risk of PTB in offspring among all births (adjusted risk ratio [aRR](95%CI):1.25(1.06–1.48), P = 0.010). The sex-stratified analysis showed the association was significant among male births (aRR (95%CI): 1.40(1.12–1.75),P = 0.002),but unsignificant among female births. The sensitivity analysis reported similar findings. Conclusions The 2008 Wenchuan earthquake exposure has a long-term effect on PTB. Maternal acute exposure to disasters could be a major monitor for long-term reproductive outcomes. More attention should be paid to the underlining reasons for disaster-related adverse birth outcomes.

scholarly journals Influence of Prenatal Exposure to Mercury, Perceived Stress, and Depression on Birth Outcomes in Suriname: Results from the MeKiTamara Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (12) ◽  
pp. 4444
Author(s):  
Anisma R. Gokoel ◽  
Wilco C. W. R. Zijlmans ◽  
Hannah H. Covert ◽  
Firoz Abdoel Wahid ◽  
Arti Shankar ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Preterm Birth ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Prenatal Exposure ◽  
Perceived Stress ◽  
Apgar Score ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Probable Depression

Prenatal exposure to mercury, stress, and depression may have adverse effects on birth outcomes. Little is known on the influence of chemical and non-chemical stressors on birth outcomes in the country of Suriname. We assessed the influence of prenatal exposure to mercury, perceived stress, and depression on adverse birth outcomes in 1143 pregnant Surinamese women who participated in the Caribbean Consortium for Research in Environmental and Occupational Health-MeKiTamara prospective cohort study. Associations between mercury (≥1.1 μg/g hair, USEPA action level/top versus bottom quartile), probable depression (Edinburgh Depression Scale ≥12), high perceived stress (Cohen’s Perceived Stress Scale ≥20), and adverse birth outcomes (low birthweight (<2500 g), preterm birth (<37 completed weeks of gestation), and low Apgar score (<7 at 5 min)) were assessed using bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions. Prevalence of elevated mercury levels, high perceived stress, and probable depression were 37.5%, 27.2%, and 22.4%, respectively. Mercury exposure was significantly associated with preterm birth in the overall study cohort (OR 2.47; 95% CI 1.05–5.83) and perceived stress with a low Apgar score (OR 9.73; 95% CI 2.03–46.70). Depression was not associated with any birth outcomes. These findings can inform policy- and practice-oriented solutions to improve maternal and child health in Suriname.

Brain metastases in breast cancer: Different survival by biological subtype and Ki67 expression

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1069-1069
Author(s):  
D. Sartori ◽  
M. Bari ◽  
G. L. Pappagallo ◽  
F. Rosetti ◽  
S. Olsen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Triple Negative ◽  
Proportional Hazards ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Cox Proportional Hazards ◽  
Her2 Overexpression ◽  
Cns Metastases ◽  
Risk Of Death ◽  
Pathologic Features ◽  
Increased Risk

1069 Background: Ten to 15% of patients (pts) with breast cancer will be diagnosed with central nervous system (CNS) metastases, and autopsy series suggest that up to 30% of pts have evidence of CNS disease at the time of death. The idenfication of factors that may predispose to CNS metastasis may help lead to earlier detection and possibly to improvement in disease management. Methods: Breast cancer pts with CNS metastases were identified within a database of 1300 breast cancer diganoses from 1995 to 2007 at the Department of Oncology, Azienda ULSS 13 VE. Pathologic features of tumor samples were examined using standard immunohistochemical assays. Results: Fifty-one pts with CNS metastases were identified. Median age at primary breast cancer diagnosis was 49 years (range, 28–78); median time to CNS metastases was 45 months (range, 3–244). HER2 overexpression was found in tumors from 25 pts (49.0%); 23 pts had tumors lacking overexpression of HER2, estrogen receptors (ER), and progesterone receptors (PgR) (ie, “triple negative” disease). Overexpression of p53 (at least 20% tumor cells positive), Ki67 (at least 20%), and BCL2 (at least 30%) were detected in tumors from 16 pts (31.4%), 32 pts (62.7%), and 14 pts (27.5%), respectively. Median survival from CNS involvement was 3.67 months (95% CI 2.05–5.28), with 24.4% and 15.3% of patients estimated to be alive at 12 and 24 months, respectively (Kaplan-Meier product limit method). A Cox proportional hazards analysis found that Ki67 overexpression was the only factor independently associated with a significantly increased risk of death (2.7-fold increase, p=0.028), while triple negative status was associated with a 1.8-fold increase in the risk of death (P=0.08) (Table). Conclusions: In our series of breast cancer pts with CNS metastases, nearly all had either HER2 overexpression or triple-negative disease. Pts whose tumors had higher proliferative indices, assessed by Ki67, had the poorest prognosis. [Table: see text] [Table: see text]

scholarly journals Thyroid Dysfunction and Autoantibodies in Early Pregnancy Are Associated with Increased Risk of Gestational Diabetes and Adverse Birth Outcomes

2012 ◽  
Vol 97 (12) ◽  
pp. 4464-4472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Polyxeni Karakosta ◽  
Dimitris Alegakis ◽  
Vaggelis Georgiou ◽  
Theano Roumeliotaki ◽  
Eleni Fthenou ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gestational Diabetes ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Early Pregnancy ◽  
Thyroid Dysfunction ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Increased Risk

scholarly journals Estimating the risk of adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women undergoing non-obstetric surgery using routinely collected NHS data: an observational study

2016 ◽  
Vol 4 (29) ◽  
pp. 1-76 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Aylin ◽  
Phillip Bennett ◽  
Alex Bottle ◽  
Stephen Brett ◽  
Vinnie Sodhi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Observational Study ◽  
Pregnant Women ◽  
Spontaneous Abortion ◽  
Birth Outcomes ◽  
Low Birthweight ◽  
Attributable Risk ◽  
Adverse Birth Outcomes ◽  
Inpatient Stay ◽  
Underlying Condition ◽  
Obstetric Surgery

BackgroundPrevious research suggests that non-obstetric surgery is carried out in 1–2% of all pregnancies. However, there is limited evidence quantifying the associated risks. Furthermore, of the evidence available, none relates directly to outcomes in the UK, and there are no current NHS guidelines regarding non-obstetric surgery in pregnant women.ObjectivesTo estimate the risk of adverse birth outcomes of pregnancies in which non-obstetric surgery was or was not carried out. To further analyse common procedure groups.Data SourceHospital Episode Statistics (HES) maternity data collected between 2002–3 and 2011–12.Main outcomesSpontaneous abortion, preterm delivery, maternal death, caesarean delivery, long inpatient stay, stillbirth and low birthweight.MethodsWe utilised HES, an administrative database that includes records of all patient admissions and day cases in all English NHS hospitals. We analysed HES maternity data collected between 2002–3 and 2011–12, and identified pregnancies in which non-obstetric surgery was carried out. We used logistic regression models to determine the adjusted relative risk and attributable risk of non-obstetric surgical procedures for adverse birth outcomes and the number needed to harm.ResultsWe identified 6,486,280 pregnancies, in 47,628 of which non-obstetric surgery was carried out. In comparison with pregnancies in which surgery was not carried out, we found that non-obstetric surgery was associated with a higher risk of adverse birth outcomes, although the attributable risk was generally low. We estimated that for every 287 pregnancies in which a surgical operation was carried out there was one additional stillbirth; for every 31 operations there was one additional preterm delivery; for every 25 operations there was one additional caesarean section; for every 50 operations there was one additional long inpatient stay; and for every 39 operations there was one additional low-birthweight baby.LimitationsWe have no means of disentangling the effect of the surgery from the effect of the underlying condition itself. Many spontaneous abortions will not be associated with a hospital admission and, therefore, will not be included in our analysis. A spontaneous abortion may be more likely to be reported if it occurs during the same hospital admission as the procedure, and this could account for the associated increased risk with surgery during pregnancy. There are missing values of key data items to determine parity, gestational age, birthweight and stillbirth.ConclusionsThis is the first study to report the risk of adverse birth outcomes following non-obstetric surgery during pregnancy across NHS hospitals in England. We have no means of disentangling the effect of the surgery from the effect of the underlying condition itself. Our observational study can never attribute a causal relationship between surgery and adverse birth outcomes, and we were unable to determine the risk of not undergoing surgery where surgery was clinically indicated. We have some reservations over associations of risk factors with spontaneous abortion because of potential ascertainment bias. However, we believe that our findings and, in particular, the numbers needed to harm improve on previous research, utilise a more recent and larger data set based on UK practices, and are useful reference points for any discussion of risk with prospective patients. The risk of adverse birth outcomes in pregnant women undergoing non-obstetric surgery is relatively low, confirming that surgical procedures during pregnancy are generally safe.Future workFurther evaluation of the association of non-obstetric surgery and spontaneous abortion. Evaluation of the impact of non-obstetric surgery on the newborn (e.g. neonatal intensive care unit admission, prolonged length of neonatal stay, neonatal death).FundingThe National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research programme.

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