Recurrence of adverse perinatal outcomes in developing countries

Area of Science:

• Perinatal epidemiology
• Maternal and infant health outcomes
• Global reproductive health

Background:

• Adverse perinatal outcomes pose significant risks to maternal and infant health globally.
• Understanding recurrence risks in second pregnancies is crucial for developing targeted interventions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the recurrence risk of adverse perinatal outcomes in second pregnancies among women in developing countries.
• To identify specific outcomes with increased risk in subsequent pregnancies.

Main Methods:

• Utilized data from the 2004-2008 Global Survey on Maternal and Perinatal Health.
• Analyzed outcomes of singleton second pregnancies for 61,780 women across 23 developing countries.
• Followed mother-infant pairs until discharge or for 7 days postpartum.

Main Results:

• First-pregnancy stillbirth or neonatal death increased risks for low birth weight (<1500g or 1500-2499g) and intensive care unit admissions in the second pregnancy.
• A history of stillbirth in the first pregnancy elevated the risk of stillbirth in the second pregnancy (OR: 2.35).
• A history of neonatal death in the first pregnancy increased the risk of neonatal death in the second pregnancy (OR: 2.82).

Conclusions:

• Women in developing countries experiencing stillbirth or neonatal death in their first pregnancy are at a significantly higher risk of these same outcomes in their second pregnancy.
• These recurrence risks were consistent across different continents, emphasizing a universal challenge in developing regions.