Open AccessIncreasing incidence of postpartum hemorrhage: the Dutch piece of the puzzle
Author(s) -
Stralen Giel,
Schmidt auf Altenstadt Joost F.,
Bloemenkamp Kitty W.M.,
Roosmalen Jos,
Hukkelhoven Chantal W.P.M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
acta obstetricia et gynecologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.401
H-Index - 102
eISSN - 1600-0412
pISSN - 0001-6349
DOI - 10.1111/aogs.12950
Subject(s) - medicine , incidence (geometry) , obstetrics , optics , physics
An increase of postpartum hemorrhage ( PPH ) has been reported in many high‐income countries. In addition to this data, this study reports on trends in the incidence of PPH in the Netherlands in 2000–2013, and examines the extent to which temporal changes in risk indicators could explain a possible change in incidence of PPH . Material and methods We used data from the Dutch Perinatal Registry, which contains prospectively collected antenatal, peripartum and neonatal data of 95–99% of all women and neonates in the Netherlands. We selected births ≥22 weeks of gestation from January 2000 until December 2013. Changes in the incidence of PPH and its risk indicators were studied over time. Main outcome measure was PPH , defined as blood loss >1000 mL within 24 h following delivery. Results The data comprised 2 406 784 women. The incidence of PPH rose significantly from 4.1% in 2000 to 6.4% in 2013 ( p < 0.0001). The incidence of previously identified risk indicators for PPH increased over time. Manual removal of placenta was strongly associated with PPH ( OR 29.3, CI 28.8–29.8). The incidence of PPH ‐related blood transfusion decreased remarkably. Conclusions In line with international observations, Dutch data suggest a considerable increase in the incidence of PPH which can only partly be explained by the studied risk indicators. The decreasing incidence of obstetric blood transfusion suggests an increased incidence of blood loss of 1000–1500 mL .