Association between previous perinatal death and subsequent pregnancy outcomes in Low-and Middle-Income Countries: A...

Perinatal death is a significant public health concern affecting millions of women globally. It is a crucial indicator for evaluating the health status of a woman. There is limited evidence on how prior perinatal death influences subsequent pregnancy outcomes.

This systematic review examines the association between perinatal death and subsequent adverse pregnancy outcomes among women in Low-and Middle-Income Countries.

This study followed PRISMA guidelines, and a systematic search was conducted using eight databases (Scopus, Emcare, Medline, Cochrane Library, ProQuest for dissertations, CINAHL, Web of Science, and PsycINFO) from inception to 2nd May 2024. Data were extracted using the standard Joanna Briggs Institute tool for observational studies, assessed for quality using the GRADE criteria, and analysed using STATA 18 statistical software. A random-effect model was used to pool the estimates of the association between perinatal death and subsequent adverse outcomes.

A total of 3674 articles were screened, and fifty full-text manuscripts were included in the systematic review and meta-analysis. The finding showed that the rate of perinatal loss among women who had a history of perinatal death was 29.7 deaths per 1000 births. The risk of preterm birth, low birth weight, preeclampsia, perinatal death, stillbirth, miscarriage, and early neonatal death were increased after perinatal death.

A significant number of women in LMICs are suffering due to perinatal death. Similarly, this review demonstrated that women with a history of perinatal death face an increased risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. Thus, these findings are vital for healthcare professionals to offer effective counselling, monitoring, support, and interventions for women with such a history. Moreover, informing relevant stakeholders is essential for designing and implementing appropriate care strategies.

CRD42024541357.