Impact of the "39-week rule" on adverse pregnancy outcomes: a statewide analysis.
cesarean delivery
maternal health
maternal morbidity
policy change
public health
term delivery
Journal
American journal of obstetrics & gynecology MFM
ISSN: 2589-9333
Titre abrégé: Am J Obstet Gynecol MFM
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 101746609
Informations de publication
Date de publication:
04 2023
04 2023
Historique:
received:
03
08
2022
revised:
26
12
2022
accepted:
20
01
2023
medline:
3
4
2023
pubmed:
29
1
2023
entrez:
28
1
2023
Statut:
ppublish
Résumé
The "39-week rule," adopted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists circa 2009, discouraged routine elective induction of labor in early-term gestations (37 weeks 0 days-38 weeks 6 days) to decrease the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. However, little research exists regarding any unintended adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with this policy shift. This study aimed to quantify the difference in incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes before and after the implementation of the 39-week rule. Deidentified data from all births in the state of South Carolina from 2000 to 2008 (before the 39-week rule) and from 2013 to 2017 (after statewide implementation and enforcement of the rule) were obtained from the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. Demographic data and International Classification of Diseases 9/10 codes were obtained for each birth. Our primary outcome was the incidence of any of the following adverse pregnancy outcomes: cesarean delivery, hypertensive disorders, chorioamnionitis, postpartum hemorrhage, high-degree lacerations, placental abruption, and intensive care unit admission. Propensity score analysis was used to control for age, body mass index, and race. After stratification by propensity score, the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test was used to compare the prerule and postrule groups. A total of 633,985 births were eligible for inclusion-412,632 from 2000 to 2008, and 221,353 from 2013 to 2017. There was a significant increase in the primary outcome in the postrule period (39.94% pre vs 42.76% post; P<.01). The incidence of all hypertensive disorders was significantly increased in the postrule period compared with the prerule period (7.75% pre vs 10.1% post; P<.01). The incidence of chorioamnionitis and cesarean delivery also increased in the postrule period (1.45% pre vs 1.92% post; P<.01; 29.6% pre vs 31.82% post; P<.01; respectively). There was a significant increase in the primary outcome following the implementation of the 39-week rule. Although the policy shift was driven by a desire to decrease adverse neonatal outcomes, aggregate benefit was not observed for pregnancy outcomes.
Sections du résumé
BACKGROUND
The "39-week rule," adopted by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists circa 2009, discouraged routine elective induction of labor in early-term gestations (37 weeks 0 days-38 weeks 6 days) to decrease the risk of adverse neonatal outcomes. However, little research exists regarding any unintended adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with this policy shift.
OBJECTIVE
This study aimed to quantify the difference in incidence of adverse pregnancy outcomes before and after the implementation of the 39-week rule.
STUDY DESIGN
Deidentified data from all births in the state of South Carolina from 2000 to 2008 (before the 39-week rule) and from 2013 to 2017 (after statewide implementation and enforcement of the rule) were obtained from the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office. Demographic data and International Classification of Diseases 9/10 codes were obtained for each birth. Our primary outcome was the incidence of any of the following adverse pregnancy outcomes: cesarean delivery, hypertensive disorders, chorioamnionitis, postpartum hemorrhage, high-degree lacerations, placental abruption, and intensive care unit admission. Propensity score analysis was used to control for age, body mass index, and race. After stratification by propensity score, the Cochran-Mantel-Haenszel test was used to compare the prerule and postrule groups.
RESULTS
A total of 633,985 births were eligible for inclusion-412,632 from 2000 to 2008, and 221,353 from 2013 to 2017. There was a significant increase in the primary outcome in the postrule period (39.94% pre vs 42.76% post; P<.01). The incidence of all hypertensive disorders was significantly increased in the postrule period compared with the prerule period (7.75% pre vs 10.1% post; P<.01). The incidence of chorioamnionitis and cesarean delivery also increased in the postrule period (1.45% pre vs 1.92% post; P<.01; 29.6% pre vs 31.82% post; P<.01; respectively).
CONCLUSION
There was a significant increase in the primary outcome following the implementation of the 39-week rule. Although the policy shift was driven by a desire to decrease adverse neonatal outcomes, aggregate benefit was not observed for pregnancy outcomes.
Identifiants
pubmed: 36708964
pii: S2589-9333(23)00021-6
doi: 10.1016/j.ajogmf.2023.100879
pii:
doi:
Types de publication
Journal Article
Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
Langues
eng
Sous-ensembles de citation
IM
Pagination
100879Subventions
Organisme : NIGMS NIH HHS
ID : P20 GM130420
Pays : United States
Informations de copyright
Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.