Outcomes following medical termination versus prolonged pregnancy in women with severe preeclampsia before 26 weeks.

Mariana A Carvalho,Lisandra S Bernardes,Fernanda S Batista,Lina Bejjani,Elizabeth G Patino,Alexandra Benachi,Rossana P V Francisco,Frédéric J Mercier,Marcelo Zugaib,Alexandre Vivanti,Salvatore Andrea Mastrolia

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0246392

Mariana A Carvalho, Lisandra S Bernardes + Show 9 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0246392

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Journal: PloS one	Publication Date: Feb 3, 2021
Citations: 1	License type: CC BY 4.0

Affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo

Abstract

ObjectiveTo compare maternal complications and describe neonatal outcomes in women with severe preeclampsia at ≤ 26+0 weeks in two countries with different management policies: expectant management (Brazil) versus termination of pregnancy (France).MethodsWe conducted a retrospective comparative study by reviewing the medical records of women with severe preeclampsia at ≤ 26+0 weeks, from January 2010 to June 2018, in two centers: Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina, in Sao Paulo, Brazil (where medical abortion is forbidden in this indication) and Hôpital Antoine-Béclère, Clamart, France (where medical termination is accepted). We collected information on maternal characteristics, laboratory tests, maternal complications and fetal and newborn characteristics. We used Student’s t-test and the Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test to compare quantitative variables, and Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test to evaluate the associations between the qualitative variables.ResultsThere was no between-group difference in maternal complications during hospitalization (p = 0.846). In Brazil, the rate of cesarean section was 66.7%, and 20% of patients had vertical incision. The rate of spontaneous fetal death was 35.6% and among the live-born infants 26.6% were discharged from hospital. In France, one patient had a cesarean section with vertical incision.ConclusionWhen comparing termination of pregnancy to expectant management in severe preeclampsia before 26 weeks, maternal complications were equivalent but maternal reproductive future might have been compromised in 20% of cases due to a higher risk of uterine rupture in subsequent pregnancies for patients having classic cesarean (vertical incision). 26.6% of children survived the neonatal period when pregnancy was pursued, however we lack information on their long-term follow-up.

Highlights

Preeclampsia is a pregnancy-specific hypertensive disorder that can rapidly progress to serious complications with maternal and/or fetal morbidity and mortality
When comparing termination of pregnancy to expectant management in severe preeclampsia before 26 weeks, maternal complications were equivalent but maternal reproductive future might have been compromised in 20% of cases due to a higher risk of uterine rupture in subsequent pregnancies for patients having classic cesarean. 26.6% of children survived the neonatal period when pregnancy was pursued, we lack information on their long-term follow-up
In Brazil, as in many other countries where abortion is illegal in all weeks of gestation, except in cases of rape, expectant management is the standard management for severe preeclampsia remote from term, even in the pre-viable period

Summary

Methods

We conducted a retrospective comparative study by reviewing the medical records of women with severe preeclampsia at 26+0 weeks, from January 2010 to June 2018, in two centers: Hospital das Clınicas da Faculdade de Medicina, in Sao Paulo, Brazil (where medical abortion is forbidden in this indication) and Hopital Antoine-Beclère, Clamart, France (where medical termination is accepted). We used Student’s t-test and the Mann-Whitney U nonparametric test to compare quantitative variables, and Chi-square test or Fisher’s exact test to evaluate the associations between the qualitative variables

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Discussion