Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Mothers and Newborn Babies at an Integrated Perinatal Center for High-risk Pregnancy and Neonatal Care

Abstract

Objective: The appropriate perinatal care and safe delivery of high-risk pregnant women have a significant impact on the prognosis of newborn. The purpose of this study is to analyze the characteristics and outcomes of high-risk pregnant women and their babies in a single integrated care center for high risk pregnancy and neonate care. Methods: The subjects were babies born in Chungnam national university hospital, their mothers and transferred babies between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018. We analyzed the time of transfer, interval between transfer and delivery, clinical features in pregnant women and their babies. The clinical characteristics and outcomes of the babies were compared to those of outborn babies and analyzed according to the timing of the transfer and duration between time of the mother's transfer and delivery. Results: Mean gestational age at first visit was 26.4 weeks. The average time to delivery after the first visit was 73.1 days. The main reasons for the mother's transfer were fetal problems (17.0%), obstetric and other underlying diseases of mothers (18.9%) and various problems related to pregnancy (52.4%). Babies born in hospital had lower gestational age and birth weight than transferred babies and their main reason for admission was prematurity (65.5%). The earlier transfer of mothers and longer interval between transfer and delivery were related to lower rate of emergency cesarean section in mothers, lower admission rate and larger gestational age and birth weight in babies. Conclusions: The early transfer of high-risk pregnant women and their appropriate management can optimize the outcomes of babies as well as mothers.