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Preterm Infant and Caregiver Outcomes After Maternal Appendectomy During Pregnancy
Sergiu Costescu1, Adrian Ratiu2, Danut Dejeu3
1Doctoral School, "Victor Babes" University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Eftimie Murgu Square 2, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Maternal appendectomy during pregnancy increased preterm infant NICU stays and caregiver depression. Open surgery and negative appendectomy showed concerning signals for neonatal outcomes and psychological burden.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Neonatology
- Surgical Outcomes
Background:
- Appendectomy during pregnancy is linked to preterm birth.
- Downstream neonatal and caregiver outcomes are not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- Compare neonatal infection rates, NICU resource use, and caregiver psychosocial outcomes.
- Evaluate infants born after maternal appendectomy versus preterm controls.
Main Methods:
- Prospective cohort study of 121 preterm infants (54 after maternal appendectomy, 67 controls).
- Assessed neonatal infection, death, morbidity, NICU length of stay.
- Used validated questionnaires for caregiver psychological symptoms (PHQ-9, GAD-7, HADS).
Main Results:
- Infection rates were numerically higher but not statistically significant in the appendectomy group.
- Significantly longer NICU length of stay (47.3 vs. 41.2 days).
- Higher caregiver depressive symptom scores (PHQ-9: 12.4 vs. 9.6).
Conclusions:
- Maternal appendectomy during pregnancy associated with increased NICU resource use and caregiver psychological distress.
- Open surgery and negative appendectomy subgroups showed less favorable exploratory signals.
- Further research needed to clarify causal pathways and clinical implications.
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