Severe postpartum hemorrhage and the risk of adverse maternal outcome: A comparative analysis of two population-based studies in France and the Netherlands

Abstract

Objectives: Among women with severe PPH (sPPH) in France and the Netherlands, we compared incidence of adverse maternal outcome (major obstetric hemorrhage (≥2.5L blood loss) and/or hysterectomy and/or mortality) by mode of delivery. Second, we compared use and timing of resuscitation and transfusion management, second-line uterotonics and uterine-sparing interventions (intra-uterine tamponade, compression sutures, vascular ligation, arterial embolization) by mode of delivery. Methods: Secondary analysis of two population-based studies of women with sPPH in France and the Netherlands. Women were selected by a harmonized definition for sPPH: (total blood loss ≥ 1500 ml) AND (blood transfusion of ≥ 4 units packed red blood cells and/or multicomponent blood transfusion). Findings: Incidence of adverse maternal outcome after vaginal birth was 793/1002, 9.1 % in the Netherlands versus 88/214, 41.1 % in France and 259/342, 76.2% versus 160/270, 59.3% after cesarean. Hemostatic agents such as fibrinogen were administered less frequently (p < 0.001) in the Netherlands (vaginal birth: 83/1002, 8.3% versus 105/2014, 49.5% in France; cesarean: 47/342, 13.7% and 152/270, 55.6%). Second-line uterotonics were started significantly later after PPH-onset in the Netherlands than France (vaginal birth: 46 versus 25 min; cesarean: 45 versus 18 min). Uterine-sparing interventions were less frequently (p < 0.001) applied in the Netherlands after vaginal birth (394/1002,39.3 %, 134/214, 62.6%) and cesarean (133/342, 38.9 % and 155/270, 57.4%), all initiated later after onset of refractory PPH in the Netherlands. Interpretation: Incidence of adverse maternal outcome was higher among women with sPPH in the Netherlands than France regardless mode of birth. Possible explanatory mechanisms are earlier and more frequent use of second-line uterotonics and uterine-sparing interventions in France compared to the Netherlands.

Keywords

• Cross-country studies
• Obstetric hemorrhage
• Management
• Clinical care
• Severe maternal outcome
• Maternal mortality