Correlation Between Previous Caesarean Section and Adverse Maternal Outcomes Accordingly With Robson Classification: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: The increasing rates of Caesarean section (CS) beyond the WHO standards (10–15%) pose a significant global health concern.Objective: Systematic review and meta-analysis to identify an association between CS history and maternal adverse outcomes for the subsequent pregnancy and delivery among women classified in Robson classification (RC).Search Strategy: PubMed/Medline, EbscoHost, ProQuest, Embase, Web of Science, BIOSIS, MEDLINE, and Russian Science Citation Index databases were searched from 2008 to 2018.Selection Criteria: Based on Robson classification, studies reporting one or more of the 14 adverse maternal outcomes were considered eligible for this review.Data Collection: Study design data, interventions used, CS history, and adverse maternal outcomes were extracted.Main Results: From 4,084 studies, 28 (n = 1,524,695 women) met the inclusion criteria. RC group 5 showed the highest proportion among deliveries followed by RC10, RC7, and RC8 (67.71, 32.27, 0.02, and 0.001%). Among adverse maternal outcomes, hysterectomy had the highest association after preterm delivery OR = 3.39 (95% CI 1.56–7.36), followed by Severe Maternal Outcomes OR = 2.95 (95% CI 1.00–8.67). We identified over one and a half million pregnant women, of whom the majority were found to belong to RC group 5.Conclusions: Previous CS was observed to be associated with adverse maternal outcomes for the subsequent pregnancies. CS rates need to be monitored given the prospective risks which may occur for maternal and child health in subsequent births.

An analysis of obstetric practices and outcomes in a deep rural district hospital in South Africa

Background Internationally, there has been a focus on ensuring that Caesarean deliveries are performed only when indicated, to ensure the best outcome for mother and baby. In South Africa, despite a variety of health system interventions, maternal and perinatal mortality remain unacceptably high. Objectives To describe and compare the clinical outcomes related to the mode of delivery, for patients managed at rural primary healthcare level. Methods This retrospective cross-sectional observational analytical study was conducted at a deep rural district hospital in northern KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Maternity Case Records and Caesarean delivery audit tools from 2018 were reviewed. Results In total, 634 files were retrieved. The Caesarean delivery rate in the sample was 30.8% (193 of 634 deliveries), and according to the Robson classification, groups 5 and 1 were the biggest contributors to Caesarean delivery. All Caesarean deliveries were deemed to have been medically indicated. As compared to those whose delivery was normal vaginal, the odds of having post-partum haemorrhage were 25 times higher, and the odds of having any complication were three times higher, if a mother delivered by Caesarean (p<0.001). In neonates who were delivered by Caesarean, the odds of being admitted to nursery were four times higher than those delivered vaginally (p<0.001). Conclusion Showing a significantly higher risk of maternal and neonatal complications, this study validated Caesarean delivery at rural primary care as a potentially dangerous undertaking, for which adequate precautions should be taken. There is a need for interventions targeting rural healthcare in South Africa, to ensure that obstetric services are offered to patients in as safe a manner as possible in this environment.

Achieving WHO's Goal for Reducing Cesarean Section Rate in a Chinese Hospital

Background: To address the worldwide dramatically increased Cesarean section (CS) rate in the past decades, WHO has recommended the CS rate should not be higher than 10–15%. Whether it is achievable remains unknown.Methods: We collected the data of delivery from 2008 to 2017 in two typical regional hospitals in China: Longhua Hospital (national policies rigorously implemented) and Dongguan Hospital (national policies not rigorously implemented). We compared between the two hospitals the 10 years trend in annual rate of CS, standardized by age, education level, parity, and CS history, against the time of issuing relevant national, local, and hospital policies.Results: In 10 years, 42,441 women in Longhua and 36,935 women in Dongguan have given birth. China's first national policy on CS reduction was issued in 2010 and the formal relaxation of one-child policy was issued in 2015–2016. In Longhua, the standardized annual CS rate was around 35% in 2008–2009, which declined sharply since 2010 down to 13.1% in 2016 (p &lt; 0.001) and then leveled off. In contrast, in Dongguan, the rate stayed around 25% at the beginning, increased to 36% in 2011, decreased sharply to 27% in 2012, and leveled off until 2015 (p &lt; 0.001), and then bounced back to 35% in 2017. The proportion of women with the history of CS increased significantly in the two hospitals (both roughly from 6% before 2010 to 20% after 2015). Analyses stratified by modified Robson classification showed that CS rates reduced in all risk classes of delivery women in Longhua but only in the Robson class 2 group in Dongguan. Major complications did not differ by hospital.Conclusion: With vigorously implementing national policies at micro levels, the WHO-recommended CS rate could be achieved without increase in major complications.

Analysis of Cesarean Delivery at Ain Shams Maternity Hospital Using the Ten Group Classification System

Background Cesarean section is an invasive surgical procedure in which a baby is delivered through an abdominal and uterine incision & carries with it many immediate and delayed morbidity and mortality risks. Objective To evaluate the feasibility of using the Robson Ten Group Classification System (TGCS) for cesarean delivery indications at Ain Shams Maternity hospital. Methods This is a retrospective study on women who delivered by cesarean delivery at Ain Shams Maternity hospital between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2018. All patient files have been revised and data has been collected then categorized. The indications for this mode of delivery: suspected fetal growth impairment, fetal distress, preeclampsia/eclampsia, pregnancy duration in weeks or more pre-partum hemorrhage, cephalopelvic disproportion, dystocia, failure of progress, multiple pregnancy, suspected/imminent uterine rupture, breech or other malpresentations, previous cesarean delivery, failed induction of labor, tubal ligation, sterilization, maternal request genital herpes, extensive condyloma, any other obstetric complication, any other fetal indication or any other maternal medical complication. Results 15808 women delivered in the hospital during the study period, The CS rate was 58.04%. According to the Robson classification, Group5 and Group 10 were the most represented groups (31.72% and 29.91% of population, respectively). The major contributors to the CS rate were group 5 (27.10%), group10 (14.02%).The most commonly reported indications for CS included past CS, suspected fetal distress, preeclampsia, eclampsia.These suggested the need for further discussion on CS practices Conclusion This study provides an example on how the WHO manual for Robson classification can be used in an action-oriented manner for developing recommendations for improving the QoC, and the quality of data collected.

CS in Uruguay From 2008 to 2018: Country Analysis Based on the Robson Classification

Background: The use of caesarean section has steadily increased all over the globe, with Latin America being the region with the highest rates. Multiple factors account for that increase. The Robson classification is appropriate to systematically evaluate and compare determinants at the clinical level for caesarean section rates over time, as well as to account for local and international needs. The purpose of this study is to describe the evolution of caesarean section rates by Robson groups in Uruguay from 2008 to 2018 using a country level database.Methods: Caesarean section rates were calculated by Robson groups for each of the years included, disaggregated by care sector (public/private) and by geographical area (Capital City/Non-Capital).Results: Among the groups at lower risk of caesarean section (1 to 4), the highest rates of caesarean section were seen in women in group 2B, followed by those in group 4B. Women in groups 2B, 3 and 4 (A and B) (Figure 2) had a significant increase in the number of caesarean section in those 11 years. A significant growth was also observed in groups 5, 8, and 10. A tendency towards a relative increased was seen in groups 2A, 3, 4A-B, and 5 (Figure S5 – Supplementary Material). The private sector had higher rates of caesarean section for all groups throughout the period, except for women in group 9. The private sector in Montevideo presented the highest rates in the groups with the lowest risk of caesarean section 1, 2A, 3 and 4A, followed by the private sector outside of the capital. The analysis of the relative contribution to the overall caesarean section rate, showed that group 5 was the one with the highest contribution, and it kept growing steadily over the years, while there was a decrease in the relative contribution of group 1 to the overall caesarean section rate.Conclusion: Uruguay is no exception to the increasing caesarean section trend, even in groups of women who have lower risk of requiring caesarean section. The implementation of interventions aimed at reducing caesarean section in the groups with lower obstetric risk in Uruguay is warranted.

Brazilian andforeign cesareas in frontier city: robson classification / Cesáreas de brasileiras e estrangeiras em município de fronteira: classificação de robson

Objetivo: analisar a incidência de cesáreas e as condições clínicas de recém-nascidos de mães brasileiras e estrangeiras conforme a classificação de Robson. Método: estudo de corte transversal, retrospectivo e quantitativo, realizado em 2017 e 2018 em Foz do Iguaçu-PR. Foram incluídas mulheres que tiveram parto entre 2012 a 2016 (n=21.129). Para análise realizou o teste de associação Qui-Quadrado ou o teste G com o nível de significância de 5%. Resultados: a incidência de cesáreas foi de 46%. O grupo de Robson que mais contribuiu foi o 5 e grupos que se mostraram expressivos em relação a escores de Apgar inferior a 7 foram 5, 8, 9 e 10. Para estas mulheres, a necessidade de encaminhamento para cuidados intensivos foi mais expressiva para recém-nascidos do grupo 10. Conclusão: a classificação de Robson é importante para gestão clínica, sendo que o grupo 5 apresenta fatores que reduzem a chance de parto vaginal.

Cesarean Delivery in Iran: A Population-Based Analysis Using The Robson Classification System

Background The rise of Cesarean Section (CS) is a global concern. In Iran, the rate of CS increased from 40.7% in 2005 to 53% in 2014. This figure is even higher in the private sector. Objective To analyze the CS rates in the last two years using the Robson Classification System in Iran. Methods A retrospective analysis of all in-hospital electronically recorded deliveries in Iran was conducted using the Robson classification. Comparisons were made in terms of the type of hospital, CS rate, and obstetric population, and contributions of each group to the overall cesarean deliveries were reported. Results 2322500 women gave birth, 53.63% delivered through CS. Robson group 5 was the largest contributing group to the overall number of cesarean deliveries (47.1%) at a CS rate of 98.36%. Group 2 and 1 ranked the second and third largest contributing groups to overall CSs (20.57% and 10.78%, respectively). The latter groups had CS rates much higher than the WHO recommendation of 67.23% and 33.07%, respectively. “Fetal Distress” and “Undefined Indications” were the most common reasons for cesarean deliveries at CS rates of 13.6% and 13.4%, respectively. There was a significant variation in CS rate among the three types of hospitals for Robson groups 1, 2, 3, 4, and 10. Conclusion The study revealed significant variations in CS rate by hospital peer-group, especially for the private maternity unit, suggesting the need for further attention and audit of the Robson groups that significantly influence the overall CS rate. The study results will help policymakers identify effective strategies to reduce the CS rate in Iran, providing appropriate benchmarking to compare obstetric care with other countries that have better maternal and perinatal outcomes.

Using the Robson classification to assess caesarean section rates in Brazil: an observational study of more than 24 million births from 2011 to 2017

Background Applying the Robson classification to all births in Brazil, the objectives of our study were to estimate the rates of caesarean section delivery, assess the extent to which caesarean sections were clinically indicated, and identify variation across socioeconomic groups. Methods We conducted a population-based study using routine records of the Live Births Information System in Brazil from January 1, 2011, to December 31, 2017. We calculated the relative size of each Robson group; the caesarean section rate; and the contribution to the overall caesarean section rate. We categorised Brazilian municipalities using the Human Development Index to explore caesarean section rates further. We estimated the time trend in caesarean section rates. Results The rate of caesarean sections was higher in older and more educated women. Prelabour caesarean sections accounted for more than 54 % of all caesarean deliveries. Women with a previous caesarean section (Group 5) made up the largest group (21.7 %). Groups 6–9, for whom caesarean sections would be indicated in most cases, all had caesarean section rates above 82 %, as did Group 5. The caesarean section rates were higher in municipalities with a higher HDI. The general Brazilian caesarean section rate remained stable during the study period. Conclusions Brazil is a country with one of the world’s highest caesarean section rates. This nationwide population-based study provides the evidence needed to inform efforts to improve the provision of clinically indicated caesarean sections. Our results showed that caesarean section rates were lower among lower socioeconomic groups even when clinically indicated, suggesting sub-optimal access to surgical care.