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Neonatal admission and mortality in babies born in UK alongside midwifery units: a national population-based case-control study using the UK Midwifery Study System (UKMidSS)

Abstract:

Objectives: To determine the incidence of and risk factors for neonatal unit admission, intrapartum stillbirth, or neonatal death without admission, and describe outcomes, in babies born in an alongside midwifery unit (AMU).

Design: National population-based case-control study.

Method: We used the UK Midwifery Study System to identify and collect data about 1041 women who gave birth in AMUs, March 2017 to February 2018, whose babies were admitted to a neonatal unit or died (cases), and 1984 controls from the same AMUs. We used multivariable logistic regression, generating adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI), to investigate maternal and intrapartum factors associated with neonatal admission or mortality.

Results: The incidence of neonatal admission or mortality following birth in an AMU was 1.2%, comprising neonatal admission (1.2%) and mortality (0.01%). White ‘other’ ethnicity (aOR=1.28; CI=1.01-1.63); nulliparity (aOR=2.09; CI=1.78-2.45); ≥2 previous pregnancies ≥24 weeks’ gestation (aOR=1.38; CI=1.10-1.74); male sex (aOR=1.46; CI=1.23-1.75); maternal pregnancy problem (aOR=1.40; CI=1.03-1.90); prolonged (aOR=1.42; CI=1.01-2.01) or unrecorded (aOR=1.38; CI=1.05-1.81) second stage duration; opiate use (aOR=1.31; CI=1.02-1.68); shoulder dystocia (aOR=5.06; CI=3.00-8.52); birthweight <2500g (aOR=4.12; CI=1.97-8.60), 4000-4999g (aOR=1.64; CI=1.25-2.14) and ≥4500g (aOR=2.10; CI=1.17-3.76), were independently associated with neonatal admission or mortality. Among babies admitted (n=1038), 18% received intensive care. Nine babies died, six following neonatal admission. Sepsis (52%) and respiratory distress (42%) were the most common discharge diagnoses.

Conclusions: The results of this study are in line with other evidence on risk factors for neonatal admission, and reassuring in terms of the quality and safety of care in AMUs.

Publication status:
Published
Peer review status:
Peer reviewed

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Files:
Publisher copy:
10.1136/archdischild-2020-319099

Authors


More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Sub department:
NPEU
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0003-2994-3240
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Nuffield Department of Population Health
Sub department:
NPEU
Role:
Author
ORCID:
0000-0002-1984-4575
More by this author
Institution:
University of Oxford
Division:
MSD
Department:
Nuffield Department of Population Health
Sub department:
NPEU
Role:
Author


Publisher:
BMJ Publishing Group
Journal:
Archives of Disease in Childhood More from this journal
Volume:
106
Issue:
2
Pages:
194-203
Publication date:
2020-09-30
Acceptance date:
2020-08-21
DOI:
EISSN:
1468-2044
ISSN:
0003-9888


Language:
English
Keywords:
Pubs id:
1132481
Local pid:
pubs:1132481
Deposit date:
2020-09-16

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