Publication
Title
Termination of pregnancy among very preterm births and its impact on very preterm mortality: results from ten European population-based cohorts in the MOSAIC study
Author
Institution/Organisation
MOSAIC Research Group
Abstract
Objective To study the impact of terminations of pregnancy (TOP) on very preterm mortality in Europe. Design European prospective population-based cohort study. Setting Ten regions from nine European countries participating in the MOSAIC (Models of OrganiSing Access to Intensive Care for very preterm babies) study. These regions had different policies on screening for congenital anomalies (CAs) and on pregnancy termination. Population or sample Births 22-31 weeks gestational age. Methods The analysis compares the proportion of TOP among very preterm births and assesses differences in mortality between the regions. Main outcome measures Pregnancy outcomes (termination, antepartum death, intrapartum death and live birth) and reasons for termination, presence of CAs and causes of death for stillbirths and live births in 2003. Results Pregnancy terminations constituted between 1 and 21.5% of all very preterm births and between 4 and 53% of stillbirths. Most terminations were for CAs, although some were for obstetric indications (severe pre-eclampsia, growth restriction, premature rupture of membranes). TOP contributed substantially to overall fetal mortality rates in the two regions with late second-trimester screening. There was no clear association between policies governing screening and pregnancy termination and the proportion of CAs among stillbirths and live births, except in Poland, where neonatal deaths associated with CAs were more frequent, reflecting restrictive pregnancy termination policies. Conclusion Proportions of TOP among very preterm births varied widely between European regions. Information on terminations should be reported when very preterm live births and stillbirths are compared internationally since national policies related to screening for CAs and the legality and timing of medical terminations differ.
Language
English
Source (journal)
BJOG: an international journal of obstetrics and gynaecology. - London
Publication
London : 2008
ISSN
1470-0328 [print]
1471-0528 [online]
DOI
10.1111/J.1471-0528.2007.01611.X
Volume/pages
115 :3 (2008) , p. 361-368
ISI
000252299700010
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 12.07.2010
Last edited 25.05.2022
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