[Comparability of obstetric and perinatal data from England and Germany using standard-primip-groups - maternal and...

Aim of the study was to assess whether different birth management of an english and german department can influence the maternal and neonatal outcome.

The database consisted of routinely published data from 1986-95 for two clinical units in Solihull (England) and Ibbenbueren (Germany) comprising 34 820 and 9 053 deliveries respectively. In order to standardise the obstetric risk profiles the heterogeneous primary groups were subdivided into "standard primip groups". A statistical comparison using the "binomial confidence interval method" was carried out.

In the standardised comparison induction of labour, duration of labour 1-6 hours, vaginal delivery from cephalic presentation, elective caesarean section, both for cephalic and breech presentation, transfer to the childrens hospital were less frequent in Solihull. On the other hand, Solihull showed more frequent oxytocin administration, fetal blood analysis, epidural anaesthesia, episiotomies, duration of labour > 13 hours, forceps, ventouse and emergency caesarean section deliveries from cephalic presentation, vaginal deliveries or emergency caesarean sections from breech presentation, resuscitation of the newborn using mask and/or drugs, maternal blood loss > 1 000 ml as well as abnormalities of placental separation. Despite the different management of the departments being compared no significant differences in the incidence of perinatal hypoxia as determined by Apgar scores at 5 minutes nor in the fetal mortality rate between the units could be identified.

Using standardised data the quality of obstetric and perinatal care in England and Germany can be reliably compared. Different birth management does not significantly influence the neonatal outcome.