Cancer related maternal mortality and delay in diagnosis and treatment: A case series on 26 cases

Background: Cancer during pregnancy is relatively rare but may lead to maternal mortality. We aimed to assess the incidence of cancer related maternal mortality and the neonatal outcome in these patients. Also, doctor- and patient-related delay in cancer diagnosis and therapy among patients with cancer related maternal mortality is assessed. Methods: Maternal mortality was defined as death during pregnancy or within 1 year after delivery. Data of the Dutch Maternal Mortality Committee was used to calculate the cancer related maternal mortality rate and to assess neonatal outcome in the Netherlands. Delay was scored by ten medical specialist based on case descriptions. Results: Cancer related maternal mortality rate was 1.23 per 100,000 live births. Delay in either diagnosis or treatment occurred in 65%. Delay in diagnosis was more frequent then delay in treatment, and was mainly caused by health care providers. Only 77% of pregnancies were ongoing, and 65% ended preterm of which 85% was induced. Conclusions: Avoiding delay in diagnosis and therapy in case of pregnancy related cancer could potentially improve maternal and neonatal outcome. It is therefore essential to increase awareness among health care providers about the occurrence and recurrence of cancer in pregnancy and the possibilities of diagnostic and therapeutic interventions in these women

Increased incidence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in women with a history of spontaneous preterm birth:A longitudinal linked national cohort study

Objective: Determine the risk of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HD) in women with a history of spontaneous preterm birth (SPTB). Study design: Longitudinal linked national cohort study within the Dutch Perinatal Registry (1999–2009) on linked data among 349,291 women with a first and second singleton pregnancy in the Netherlands. Main outcome measures: The incidence of HD, small for gestational age (SGA) and placental abruption in the second pregnancy. Results: Out of 349,291 women with a singleton first pregnancy, 19,991 (5.7%) had a SPTB. The incidence of HD in the second pregnancy was 8.1% in women with a previous SPTB, as compared to 5.6% in women with a previous term birth (aOR 1.49 (CI 1.41–1.57)). Also after excluding HD, SGA and/or placental abruption in the first pregnancy, women with a history of SPTB had a higher risk of HD in their second pregnancy compared to women with a previous term birth (4.6% versus 2.7%, aOR 1.77 (CI 1.64–191)). Similarly, the incidence of SGA and placental abruption was higher in the second pregnancy in women with a history of SPTB compared to term birth in the first pregnancy. Conclusions: Women with a history of SPTB are at elevated risk of HD in the subsequent pregnancy. These results support shared pathophysiology between SPTB and HD

Cardiovascular mortality in women in their forties after hypertensive disorders of pregnancy in the Netherlands : a national cohort study

Peer reviewedPublisher PD

Women with a Preterm Cesarean Have High Rates of Successful Trial of Labor in a Subsequent Term Pregnancy

Objective The rate of cesareans has increased worldwide. Therefore, an increasing number of women has to decide how to deliver in a subsequent pregnancy. Individualized information on risks and success chances is helpful. This study investigates the effect of a preterm cesarean on success of subsequent term trial of labor. Study Design Ten-year Dutch cohort (2000-2009) of women with one previous cesarean and a subsequent term trial of labor. Subgroups were made based on gestational age at first cesarean delivery (25-28, 28-30, 30-32 and 32-34 weeks) and stratified based the way in which second delivery started. Rates of vaginal deliveries, maternal, and neonatal outcomes were compared with women who had a first-term cesarean (37-43 weeks). Results Four thousand three-hundred forty-two women delivered by preterm cesarean in the first pregnancy. These women had high rates of successful trial of labor, both after spontaneous onset (86.2-96.2%) and induction (72.8-75.4%). Rates of adverse outcomes were low and similar compared with women with a previous term cesarean. Conclusion In this 10-year nationwide cohort, women with a preterm first cesarean who opted for trial of labor in a subsequent pregnancy had high rates of successful trial of labor

Induction of Labor for Maternal Indications at a Periviable Gestational Age; Survey on Management, Reporting and Auditing amongst Dutch Maternal-Feta Medicine Specialists and Neonatologists

Background In cases of life-threatening maternal conditions in the periviable period, professionals may consider immediate delivery with fetal demise as a consequence of the treatment. We sought the opinion of involved medical professionals on management, reporting, and auditing in these cases.Methods We performed an online survey amongst all registered maternal-fetal medicine (MFM) specialists and neonatologists in the Netherlands. The survey presented two hypothetical cases of severe early-onset pre-eclampsia at periviable gestational ages. Management consisted of immediate termination or expectant management directed towards newborn survival.Findings In the case managed by immediate termination, 62% percent answered that fetal demise resulting from induction of labor for maternal indications should be audited only within the medical profession. In the case of expectant management, 17% of the participants agreed with this management. Some answers revealed a significant difference in opinion between the medical specialists.Conclusion Perspective of MFM specialists and neonatologists differs with regard to counseling prospect parents in case of severe early onset pre-eclampsia. The majority of professionals is willing to report late termination (after 24 weeks' gestation) for severe maternal disease to medical experts for internal audits but not for legal auditing.</p

Single-layer vs double-layer uterine closure during cesarean delivery:3-year follow-up of a randomized controlled trial (2Close study)

Background: The rising rate of cesarean deliveries has led to an increased incidence of long long-term complications, including niche formation in the uterine scar. Niche development is associated with various gynecologic complaints and complications in subsequent pregnancies, such as uterine rupture and placenta accreta spectrum disorders. Although uterine closure technique is considered a potential risk factor for niche development, consensus on the optimal technique remains elusive. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effect of single-layer vs double-layer closure of the uterine incision on live birth rate at a 3-year follow-up with secondary objectives focusing on gynecologic, fertility, and obstetrical outcomes at the same follow-up. Study Design: A multicenter, double-blind, randomized controlled trial was performed at 32 hospitals in the Netherlands. Women ≥18 years old undergoing a first cesarean delivery were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either single-layer or double-layer closure of the uterine incision. The primary outcome of the long-term follow-up was the live birth rate; with secondary outcomes, including pregnancy rate, the need for fertility treatment, mode of delivery, and obstetrical and gynecologic complications. This trial is registered on the International Clinical Trials Registry Platform www.who.int (NTR5480; trial finished). Results: Between 2016 and 2018, the 2Close study randomly assigned 2292 women, with 830 of 1144 and 818 of 1148 responding to the 3-year questionnaire in the single-layer and double-layer closure. No differences were observed in live birth rates; also there were no differences in pregnancy rate, need for fertility treatments, mode of delivery, or uterine ruptures in subsequent pregnancies. High rates of gynecologic symptoms, including spotting (30%–32%), dysmenorrhea (47%–49%), and sexual dysfunction (Female Sexual Function Index score, 23) are reported in both groups. Conclusion: The study did not demonstrate the superiority of double-layer closure over single-layer closure in terms of reproductive outcomes after a first cesarean delivery. This challenges the current recommendation favoring double-layer closure, and we propose that surgeons can choose their preferred technique. Furthermore, the high risk of gynecologic symptoms after a cesarean delivery should be discussed with patients.</p