Peripartum Transfusion Research Articles

Socioeconomic Disadvantage Is Associated With Risk and Severity of Anemia [ID: 1377641

INTRODUCTION: Anemia on admission for delivery is a significant contributor to peripartum transfusion. Risk of maternal morbidity including transfusion has been linked to neighborhood deprivation. We sought to explore the relationship between a composite measure of neighborhood-level deprivation and frequency and severity of anemia on admission for delivery. METHODS: We performed an IRB-approved retrospective cohort analysis of delivery admissions in a single health care network from 2015 to 2020. Area deprivation index (ADI) was used to represent neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage and is a composite index of neighborhood that spans income, education, household characteristics, and housing. The index ranges from 1 to 100 with higher values indicating higher disadvantage. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin less than 11.0 mg/dL and severe anemia less than 9.0 mg/dL. Multivariable binomial regression models assessed the relationship between ADI and anemia. RESULTS: Eighty-five thousand five hundred fifty-three delivery admissions were included. A monotonic linear positive relationship was observed between ADI and anemia. Individuals who reside in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods (ADI>95) had 2.2 times the odds (95% CI 2.1–2.3) of anemia on admission for delivery. For example, individuals who live in a less disadvantaged neighborhood (ADI of 5) had a 11% predicted probability of anemia compared to 23% in individuals who lived in a more disadvantaged neighborhood (ADI of 95). Individuals who lived in the most disadvantaged neighborhoods had a higher rate of severe anemia (1% versus 3%, P<.001). CONCLUSION: Anemia is more likely and more severe in individuals living in disadvantaged neighborhoods. Neighborhood-level interventions could be used to target populations at high risk for anemia and potentially affect maternal outcomes.

Optimal predelivery hemoglobin to reduce transfusion and adverse perinatal outcomes

Maternal anemia has been associated with poor obstetrical outcomes; however, the optimal hemoglobin level for reducing blood transfusion at delivery has not been well-defined. This study aimed to measure the association of maternal anemia immediately before delivery with peripartum transfusion and other adverse perinatal outcomes. We also sought to identify the optimal hemoglobin level for predicting transfusion. This was a retrospective cohort study of patients who had hemoglobin or hematocrit collected before delivery of live, nonanomalous neonates at ≥23 weeks' gestation at a single center (2013-2018). Patients were excluded if they had sickle cell disease or were receiving anticoagulation. Patients were categorized as having anemia or no anemia on the basis of predelivery hemoglobin or hematocrit levels using criteria set by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. The primary outcome was transfusion of ≥1 unit of packed red blood cells during the delivery admission. Secondary outcomes included select adverse perinatal outcomes. Bivariable analyses compared baseline characteristics and outcomes between the anemia and no-anemia groups. Multivariable logistic regression estimated the association between anemia and outcomes. The hemoglobin cutoff optimizing sensitivity and specificity for transfusion was identified by the Liu method. Of the 18,357 patients included in the analysis, 5444 (30%) had predelivery anemia (mean hemoglobin, 10.0±0.8 g/dL) vs 12,913 (70%) who did not (mean hemoglobin, 12.3±1.1 g/dL). Patients with anemia were more likely to be non-Hispanic Black and publicly insured and less likely to be nulliparous. Anemia was associated with 5-fold higher odds of packed red blood cell transfusion (6.0% vs 1.3%; adjusted odds ratio, 5.23 [95% confidence interval, 4.09-6.69]) compared with no anemia. For each 1 g/dL increase in predelivery hemoglobin, the odds of transfusion were 56% lower (adjusted odds ratio, 0.44 [confidence interval, 0.40-0.48]). The optimal hemoglobin for prediction of transfusion was 10.6 g/dL (sensitivity: 80%, specificity: 86%). There was no association between anemia and composite maternal or neonatal morbidity after adjustment for covariates, but anemia was associated with higher odds of postpartum readmission (adjusted odds ratio, 1.35 [1.11-1.64]). Maternal anemia before delivery was associated with 5-fold higher odds of packed red blood cell transfusion and postpartum readmission, but not other perinatal morbidity. Optimizing predelivery hemoglobin, particularly ≥10.6 g/dL, may reduce peripartum transfusion.

Associations of anaemia and race with peripartum transfusion in three United States datasets.

Transfusion complicates a significant proportion of births in the United States, and Black women have greater prevalence of transfusion at delivery than White women. Antepartum anaemia, a risk factor for peripartum transfusion, is more common among Black women than White women. We aimed to describe the racial distribution of antepartum anaemia in three national datasets and to evaluate the peripartum transfusion rate and characteristics of transfusion recipients, to investigate disparities in haemostatic outcomes. We performed a retrospective analysis of Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) Maternal-Fetal Medicine Units Network Cesarean Registry (CR), NICHD Consortium on Safe Labor Registry (CSL), and a cohort of deliveries at Universal Health Services hospitals (UHS). Univariable associations and multivariable logistic regressions were calculated between race, anaemia and transfusion. Covariates included age, parity, smoking, body mass index, type of insurance, and delivery mode. We included n=56,964 deliveries from CR (28% Black), 87,465 from UHS (12% Black), and 140,324 from CSL (24% Black). Anaemia prevalence was 8% in CR, 7% in UHS, and 13% in CSL. Anaemia was more common among Black patients (ORs 2.52, 2.61, and 1.48 respectively) and was associated with transfusion in all databases (ORs 6.46 [95% CI 5.78-7.22]; 5.79 [4.74-7.27]; 1.27 [1.18-1.37] respectively). After adjusting for covariates, Black patients had greater odds of transfusion than non-Black patients in CR (aOR 1.32 [1.16-1.50]), but not in UHS or CSL (aORs 1.19 [0.89-1.59] and 0.40 [0.36-0.44] respectively). In our retrospective cohort study using three US registries, we emphasized the link between anaemia and transfusion. Although anaemia was more prevalent among Black patients, the race-transfusion relationship differed between databases, indicating other unexplored factors are involved.

Optimal pre-delivery hemoglobin to reduce transfusion and adverse perinatal outcomes

To measure the association between maternal anemia immediately before delivery and peripartum transfusion and other adverse perinatal outcomes. We also sought to identify the optimal hemoglobin (Hgb) to reduce transfusion.

Slower response to treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia in pregnant women infected with HIV: a prospective cohort study.

Antenatal anaemia is associated with increased peripartum transfusion requirement in South Africa. We studied whether HIV was associated with the response to treatment of iron-deficiency anaemia. Prospective cohort study. Hospital-based antenatal anaemia clinic in South Africa. Equal-sized cohorts of pregnant women testing positive for HIV (HIV+) and testing negative for HIV (HIV-) with iron-deficiency anaemia. Haemoglobin trajectories of women with confirmed iron-deficiency anaemia (ferritin<50ng/ml) were estimated from the initiation of iron supplementation using mixed-effects modelling, adjusted for baseline HIV status, ferritin level, maternal and gestational ages and time-varying iron supplementation. Haemoglobin trajectories. Of 469 women enrolled, 51% were HIV+, 90% of whom were on antiretroviral therapy (with a mean CD4+ lymphocyte count of 403cells/mm3 ). Anaemia diagnoses did not differ by HIV status. A total of 400 women with iron-deficiency anaemia were followed during treatment with oral or intravenous (6%) iron therapy. In multivariable analysis, haemoglobin recovery was 0.10g/dl per week slower on average in women who were HIV+ versus women who were HIV- (P=0.001), 0.01g/dl per week slower in women with higher baseline ferritin (P<0.001) and 0.06g/dl per week faster in women who were compliant with oral iron therapy (P=0.002). Compared with women who were HIV-, women who were HIV+ with iron-deficiency anaemia had slower but successful haemoglobin recovery with iron therapy. Earlier effective management of iron deficiency could reduce the incidence of peripartum blood transfusion. Among pregnant women with iron-deficiency anaemia in South Africa, HIV slows haemoglobin recovery in response to oral iron therapy.

Twin pregnancies with uterine fibroids are not at increased risk for obstetric complications: single center cohort study

BackgroundTwin pregnancies with uterine fibroid(s) (UFs) may not be at increased risk for obstetric complications compared to those without UFs. However, there was no reported comparison study with obstetric outcomes and complications of twin pregnancy after myomectomy. We aimed to compare the pregnancy outcomes in twin pregnancies with or without uterine fibroid(s), and also compared in patients with previous myomectomy history in Korean women.MethodsA cohort of twin pregnancies delivered in a single institution between January 2011 and March 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. UFs group was defined by the presence of UFs during pregnancy (≥1 fibroid, measuring ≥2 cm or multiple fibroids regardless of the size). Previous myomectomy group included patients with history of abdominal or laparoscopic or hysteroscopic myomectomy of ≥1 fibroid, measuring ≥2 cm or multiple fibroids whatever the size. Patients with monochorionic monoamniotic twins, myoma less than 2 cm in size, missed abortion or intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) of one fetus before 14 weeks, history of previous conization, and uterine anomalies were excluded. Pregnancy outcomes and obstetric complications were compared.ResultA total 1388 patients were included in this study, 191 (13.8%) had UFs and 89 (6.4%) had a history of myomectomy. Maternal age was younger in non-UFs group and primiparity was more common in UFs group (p < 0.001, and p = 0.019). No significant differences were found in the gestational age at delivery (p = 0.657), delivery before 37 weeks (p = 0.662), delivery before 34 weeks (p = 0.340), and sum of birth weight of twin (p = 0.307). There were also no statistical differences in rates of obstetrical complications, such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes mellitus, placenta previa, placenta abruption, cerclage, small for gestational age, IUFD, postpartum hemorrhage and peripartum transfusion or ICU care. These obstetrical outcomes and complications showed no statistical differences between UFs group and previous myomectomy group.ConclusionIn patients with twin pregnancies, the presence of UFs or history of previous myomectomy did not relate to negative effects on pregnancy outcomes and obstetrical complications.

The contribution of iron deficiency to the risk of peripartum transfusion: a retrospective case control study

BackgroundIron deficiency in pregnancy is associated with inferior maternal and fetal outcomes. Postpartum depression, prematurity, intrauterine growth restriction, impaired childhood cognition and transfusion are all sequelae of maternal iron deficiency anemia. Transfusion to women of childbearing age has important consequences including increasing the risk of hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn with future pregnancies. The relative contribution of iron deficiency to transfusion rates in the peripartum period is unknown. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of iron deficiency and anemia in pregnant women that received peripartum transfusions relative to age-matched non-transfused controls.MethodsWe performed a retrospective case-control study of all women that were transfused in the peripartum period from January, 2014 to July, 2018. Cases were compared to the next age matched control to deliver at our institution. The primary objective was to determine the proportion of patients with iron deficiency in pregnancy or anemia in pregnancy in cases and controls. Charts were reviewed for predisposing risk factors for iron deficiency, laboratory measures of iron deficiency and anemia, iron supplementation history and maternal and fetal outcomes. Factors associated with peripartum transfusion were analyzed using a multivariate logistic regression.Results169 of 18, 294 (0.9%) women were transfused in the peripartum period and 64 (44%) of those transfused received 1 unit. Iron deficiency or anemia were present in 103 (71%) transfused women and 74 (51%) control women in pregnancy (OR 2.34, 95% CI: 3.7–18.0). Multivariate analysis identified social work involvement (adjusted OR 4.1, 95% CI: 1.8–10.1), intravenous iron supplementation in pregnancy (adjusted OR 3.8, 95% CI: 1.2–17.4) and delivery by unscheduled cesarean section (adjusted OR 2.8, 95% CI: 1.3–6.2) as significant predictors of peripartum transfusion.ConclusionsPregnant women being followed by a social worker, receiving intravenous iron supplementation in pregnancy or who deliver by unscheduled cesarean section are more likely to receive a red blood cell transfusion. Women with iron deficiency or anemia in pregnancy are at increased risk of peripartum blood transfusions and warrant early and rigorous iron supplementation.

Predicting peripartum blood transfusion: focusing on pre-pregnancy characteristics

BackgroundObstetric hemorrhage is one of the most common causes of obstetrical morbidity and mortality, and transfusion is the most important management for hemorrhage. The aim of our study was to investigate the pre-pregnancy and pregnancy risk factors for peripartum transfusion.MethodsWomen who delivered a baby from 2010 to 2014 in Korea and participated in the Korean National Health Screening Program for Infants and Children were included. To analyze pre-pregnant risk factors for peripartum transfusion, an additional analysis was done for women who underwent a National Health Screening Examination within 1 year before pregnancy, including maternal waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure, laboratory tests and history of smoking. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the risk factors for peripartum transfusion.ResultsOf the total 1,980,126 women who met the inclusion criteria, 36,868 (1.86%) were transfused at peripartum. In a multivariable regression model, the pregnancy risk factors for peripartum transfusion included maternal age above 35 years [odds ratio (OR): 1.41; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32–1.50], preterm birth (OR: 2.39; 95% CI: 2.15–2.65), and maternal hypertension (OR: 2.49; 95% CI: 2.24–2.77). Pre-pregnancy risk factors including fasting glucose level of more than 126 mg/dL (OR: 1.11; 95% CI: 1.02–1.20), current-smoker status (OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.06–1.37), and waist-circumference less than 80 cm (OR: 1.18; 95% CI: 1.06–1.30) were independently associated with peripartum blood transfusion.ConclusionsSeveral pre-pregnancy and pregnancy risk factors were associated with peripartum blood transfusion. Some identified factors are modifiable before conception, and our study validated peripartum blood transfusion as a form of triage.

Predicting peripartum blood transfusion in women undergoing cesarean delivery: A risk prediction model.

ObjectiveThere has been an appreciable rise in postpartum hemorrhage requiring blood transfusions in the United States. Our objective is to better define patients at greatest risk for peripartum transfusion at the time of cesarean in order to identify cases for early intervention and monitoring.MethodsOur study is a secondary analysis of a retrospective cohort study. Cases of intraoperative and immediate postpartum blood transfusion among women undergoing cesarean delivery were identified. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to identify antepartum and intrapartum risk factors that were independently associated with blood transfusion. A risk calculator was then developed to predict the need for transfusion.ResultsOf 56,967 women, 1488 (2.6%) required any blood transfusion. The strongest risk factors for peripartum blood transfusion included anemia (odds ratio [OR] 3.7, 95% CI 3.3–4.3), abruption on presentation (OR 3.3, CI 2.6–4.1), general anesthesia (OR 5.2, CI 4.4–6.1) and abnormal placentation (OR 92.0, CI 57.4–147.6). An antepartum (model 1) and combined antepartum plus intrapartum risk model (model 2) were developed (model 1 AUC = 0.77, model 2 AUC = 0.83) and internally validated.ConclusionsAmong women who required cesarean delivery, we were able to identify risk factors which predispose women to peripartum blood transfusion and developed a prediction model with good discrimination.

A Retrospective Assessment of Prevention and Treatment of Iron Deficiency Amongst Patients Requiring Peripartum Transfusion

Background: Iron deficiency is common and affects nearly 18% of pregnant women in the United States. This is attributable to both poor baseline stores in young women and the high iron requirements of pregnancy; a singleton pregnancy results in a net loss of 630 mg of iron. Both maternal and fetal outcomes are impacted by iron deficiency. There are higher rates of maternal postpartum depression, fetal growth restriction, prematurity and developmental delay when mothers are iron deficient in pregnancy. It is also important to avoid transfusions in women of child bearing age, due to the risks of alloimmunization and hemolytic disease of the newborn. Since iron deficiency is the most common cause of anemia in pregnant women, we sought to assess the prevalence of iron deficiency in women receiving peripartum red blood cell transfusions.Materials and Methods: This study is a retrospective quality review of all cases of peripartum transfusion at an academic centre caring for high risk pregnancies from January 2013 to July 2018. All women admitted to the Labor and Delivery ward who received a red blood cell transfusion were identified through electronic blood bank database. We also identified the next age-matched woman to deliver who was not transfused. Charts were reviewed for risk factors for iron deficiency, evidence of prior iron deficiency, iron supplementation during pregnancy and fetal outcomes such as birth weight, gestational age at delivery, NICU admission and fetal mortality. A detailed transfusion history was recorded for women who received peripartum transfusions, including peritransfusion hemoglobins and indication for transfusion. Results: To date, 120 cases of peripartum red blood cell transfusion have been reviewed. Of these, 19 patients were excluded due to chronic anemia unrelated to iron deficiency or pregnancy (e.g., chronic renal failure). Age matched controls have been identified and are pending review. Preliminary data suggests that the majority of red cell transfusions given in the peripartum period are to women experiencing antepartum (26%) and/or postpartum (63%) hemorrhage. Thirty seven percent of women who were transfused had documented anemia in pregnancy and 51% of women were iron deficient in pregnancy (ferritin <30 ng/mL). Twenty one percent of women in the transfused group were noted to have pre-existing iron deficiency before conceiving. In the transfused cohort, six patients were identified as having alpha thalassemia trait (3 cases) or beta thalassemia minor (3 cases).Discussion: We present the preliminary results of a retrospective review of cases of peripartum red cell transfusion at an academic centre. Although a significant portion of transfusions were unavoidable and attributable to hemorrhage, it may be possible to decrease the number of units these women require. Over half of women who were transfused had documented iron deficiency in pregnancy. This raises the question of how many units of red blood cells could have been saved by appropriately treating these patients' iron deficiency. It is also clear in the literature that iron deficiency is associated with multiple poor fetal and maternal outcomes; we have identified an opportunity to improve the care of these women and their babies. We plan to feed this information back to the Obstetrical caregivers at our centre and to help educate providers about the recognition and treatment of iron deficiency in pregnancy. The high rate of transfusion amongst patients with alpha thalassemia trait and beta thalassemia minor warrants further investigation, but may highlight a knowledge gap around transfusion triggers for these patients. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Risk factors for peripartum blood transfusion in South Africa: a case-control study.

Obstetric hemorrhage (OH) and access to peripartum blood transfusion remains a global health challenge. The rates of peripartum transfusion in South Africa exceed those in high-income countries despite comparable rates of OH. We sought to evaluate factors associated with peripartum transfusion. A case-control study was conducted at four large South African hospitals. Transfused peripartum women (cases) and nontransfused controls were stratum matched 1:2 by hospital and delivery date. Data on obstetric, transfusion, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) history were abstracted from medical records. Blood was obtained for laboratory evaluation. We calculated unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios (ORs) for transfusion using logistic regression. A total of 1200 transfused cases and 2434 controls were evaluated. Antepartum hemorrhage (OR, 197.95; 95% confidence interval [CI], 104.27-375.78), hemorrhage with vaginal delivery (OR, 136.46; 95% CI, 75.87-245.18), prenatal anemia (OR, 22.76; 95% CI, 12.34-41.93 for prenatal hemoglobin level < 7 g/dL), and failed access to prenatal care (OR, 6.71; 95% CI, 4.32-10.42) were the major risk factors for transfusion. Platelet (PLT) count (ORs, 4.10, 2.66, and 1.77 for ≤50 × 109 , 51 × 109 -100 × 109 , and 101 × 109 -150 × 109 cells/L, respectively), HIV infection (OR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.02-1.62), and admitting hospital (twofold variation) were also associated with transfusion. Mode of delivery, race, age category, gravidity, parity, gestational age, and birthweight were not independently associated with transfusion. Major risk factors of peripartum transfusion in South Africa, namely, prenatal anemia and access to prenatal care, may be amenable to intervention. HIV infection and moderately low PLT count are novel risk factors that merit further investigation.

A cross-sectional study of peripartum blood transfusion in the Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Obstetric haemorrhage (OH) remains a major contributor to maternal morbidity and mortality. Blood transfusion is critical in OH management; yet, data on peripartum transfusion are lacking. A pilot study reported high rates of peripartum transfusion in a sample of South African (SA) hospitals, which was independently associated with HIV status. To assess the incidence of peripartum transfusion in a sample of Eastern Cape, SA hospitals to evaluate generalisability of preceding study findings. Hospital chart reviews were conducted of all deliveries at three large regional hospitals from February to June 2013. Additional clinical data were collected for patients who sustained OH and/or were transfused. A total of 7 234 women were enrolled in the study; 1 988 (27.5%) were HIV-positive. Of the 767 HIV-positive women with a CD4 count &lt;350 cells/μL, 86.0% were on full antiretroviral therapy and 9.9% received drugs for prevention of mother-to-child transmission. The overall transfusion rate was 3.2%, with significant variability by hospital: Frere Hospital (1.5%), Dora Nginza Hospital (3.8%) and Cecilia Makiwane Hospital (4.6%). The number of red blood cell units per transfused patient and per delivery varied significantly by hospital. Bivariate analysis showed significant association between transfusion and HIV status. In a multivariate analysis, controlling for OH, age, mode of delivery, gestational age, parity and birthweight, this association (odds ratio 1.45; 95% confidence interval 0.78 - 2.71) was no longer significant. These findings confirm high rates of peripartum transfusion in SA. While this can be possibly ascribed to variability in practice and patient profile, variation in care and improvement in HIV treatment should be considered.

Maternal Risk Factors for Peripartum Transfusion

Postpartum hemorrhage remains one of the most significant maternal complications of childbirth in the United States, with peripartum transfusion the most commonly identified morbidity. We completed a retrospective cohort study of women delivering at 20+ weeks at a large regional obstetric hospital between 2000 and 2008. Data were extracted from the institutional data warehouse; women with a potential coagulopathy were excluded. The association of maternal and obstetric factors with odds of transfusion was explored using univariate and multivariable logistic regression. We identified 59,282 deliveries and 614 cases of transfusion, an incidence rate of 10.4/1,000 deliveries. Rates were highest for black (14.1/1,000 deliveries) and lowest for white (8.4/1,000 deliveries) women. Increased odds of perinatal transfusion were seen for women with anemia at entry to labor and delivery (odds ratio [OR] 3.03, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.43-3.79 for hemoglobin (Hgb) 9.5-10.5 g/dL; OR 12.65, 95% CI 10.35-15.46 for Hgb<9.5 g/dL) and those undergoing a cesarean delivery (OR 4.28, 95% CI 3.62-5.05). The excess risk associated with black race was eliminated after adjusting for anemia and other covariates. A synergistic effect of anemia with delivery method was observed. Anemia was estimated to account for 31.7% of transfusions. Potentially modifiable factors most strongly associated with risk for transfusion were antenatal anemia and cesarean delivery, and their co-occurrence was synergistic. Anemia is an easily identified and treatable risk factor and warrants focus as part of preconception and interconception care in childbearing women.

Let's Reduce Peripartum Transfusion: Identification and Treatment of Anemia

Let's Reduce Peripartum Transfusion: Identification and Treatment of Anemia