J. Wessel, J. Endrikat, U. Büscher
Elevated risk for neonatal outcome following denial of pregnancy: results of
a one-year prospective study compared with control groups
Aims: Newborns following denied pregnancies are delivered
after either late onset or total absence of antenatal
care, with a presumed subsequently increased risk for
neonatal outcome. For this specific group, several characteristic
outcome parameter are investigated.
Methods: During the period July 1, 1995 to June 30, 1996,
a prospective case sampling was performed for denied
pregnancies in Berlin. Besides determination of the parameters'
frequency, comparison with two control
groups is performed: a normal group (BBR, all Berlin
deliveries in 1995) and a high risk group (VIR, all deliveries
at a perinatal center in 1996).
Results: Altogether 69 neonates occurred. For gestational
age < 37 weeks, birth weight < 2500 g, small for gestational age, transferal rate of newborns to neonatal unit
and surgical delivery, a statistically significant worse outcome
is demonstrated for denied pregnancies versus
BBR and VIR (p-level < 0.05). Neonatal mortality is
5.8% in all cases, the corrected rate is 1.5% (excluding
three non-viable cases of 21st and 23rd week of gestation).
Conclusions: The data underline the elevated fetal
outcome
risk for newborns after denial of pregnancy. In this
group, total absence or late onset of antenatal care results
in a manifestation of pregnancy dependent risks.
Preterm births and small for gestational age newborns,
together with deaths, may be classified as at least potentially
avoidable.
Journal of Perinatal Medicine, Walter de Gruyter
Print ISSN: 1619-3997
Volume: 31, 01/2003
Pages: 29 - 35
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