Maternal morbidity after early preterm delivery (23-28 weeks)

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Perinatal Research

Background:

• Maternal outcomes following preterm delivery are less understood compared to neonatal outcomes.
• Previous research has primarily focused on neonatal complications of preterm and periviable births.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between early preterm delivery and increased maternal morbidity.
• To compare maternal morbidity rates in deliveries before 26 weeks' gestation versus those between 26 and 28 weeks' gestation.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 82 women delivering between 23 and 28 weeks' gestation.
• Assessment of maternal morbidities including infection, hemorrhage, and postpartum depression.
• Comparison of composite maternal morbidity between early (<26 weeks) and late (26-28 weeks) preterm delivery groups.

Main Results:

• Women delivering before 26 weeks had significantly higher rates of composite maternal morbidity (60.5% vs 27.3%) and infection (42.1% vs 13.6%).
• Later gestational age at delivery was associated with reduced rates of composite morbidity (OR 0.6).

Conclusions:

• Delivery at periviable gestational ages is associated with elevated maternal morbidity.
• Maternal complications, particularly infection, are more frequent in deliveries before 26 weeks' gestation.
• Counseling for women at risk of early preterm birth should encompass potential maternal complications.