Effects of endometriosis on pregnancy outcomes in Fujian province

Endometriosis is a common gynecological disease, affecting 5 to 10% of women of childbearing age. We analyzed pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes of patients with pregnancies complicated with endometriosis. The aim of the study was to explore the effects of endometriosis on pregnancy and to evaluate the potential pregnancy risks associated with this disease.

The retrospective study included 3,809 parturients who were routinely examined, hospitalized and underwent cesarean section delivery in Fujian Maternal and Child Health Hospital from January 2014 to December 2020. Among them, 1,026 parturients were diagnosed with endometriosis after the cesarean section (endometriosis group), and 2,783 parturients without endometriosis comprised the control group. The endometriosis group was further divided into subgroups according to the severity of the disease: 882 parturients with stage Ⅰ or Ⅱ of endometriosis, and 144 parturients with stage Ⅲ or Ⅳ of endometriosis. General data of all patients and medical records of pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes for each group were collected and retrospectively analyzed.

There were no statistically significant differences in the age, gestational age, gestation, and parity times between all groups (p>0.05). The incidence of preeclampsia and placenta previa in the endometriosis group was higher than that in the control group (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in rates of other pregnancy complications, such as chronic hypertension with pregnancy, preeclampsia with chronic hypertension, hemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets (HELLP) syndrome, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), pregestational diabetes mellitus (PGDM), intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP), premature rupture of membranes or placental abruption between the two groups. The incidence of placenta previa in the group of patients with stage III/IV endometriosis was higher than in patients with stage I/II endometriosis (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of other pregnancy complications. The amount of postpartum hemorrhage (1,000-1,500 ml) in the endometriosis group was greater than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (p<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage in patients with pregnancies complicated with endometriosis at different stages.

In pregnant women, endometriosis is associated with an increased incidence of placenta previa that correlates with the severity of the disease. Pregnant women with endometriosis have higher rates of preeclampsia and postpartum hemorrhage, compared to women without endometriosis.