Uterine rupture and long-term cardiovascular hospitalization of the offspring

Abstract

Background

Uterine rupture is associated with severely adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. The association between uterine rupture and long-term cardiovascular hospitalization of the offspring has not been investigated yet.

Methods

In a population-based cohort study, the incidence of cardiovascular related hospitalizations was compared between singletons born to mothers with and without uterine rupture in the current pregnancy. Cardiovascular hospitalization up to the age of 18 years was assessed according to a predefined set of ICD-9 codes associated with offspring hospitalization. Multiple gestations, perinatal deaths, lacking prenatal care, and children with congenital malformations or chromosomal abnormalities were excluded from the study. A Kaplan–Meier survival curve was used to assess cumulative incidence of cardiovascular hospitalization of the offspring. A Cox proportional hazards model was performed to control for confounders.

Results

During the study period, 238,622 newborns met the inclusion criteria, of which 0.053% (n = 127) were born to mothers with uterine rupture in the current pregnancy. Children born to mothers with uterine rupture had significantly higher rates of cardiovascular related hospitalization (Kaplan–Meier’s survival curve log-rank test, p=.005).

Conclusion

Being born following uterine rupture is an independent risk factor for long-term pediatric cardiovascular hospitalization.

Highlights

• Uterine rupture is a risk factor for long-term pediatric cardiovascular related hospitalization.

• Rising rate of CS potentially associate to long-term offspring cardiovascular disease.

• Cardiovascular surveillance is needed for newborns delivered after uterine rupture.

Keywords:

• Uterine rupture
• long-term
• cardiovascular hospitalization
• offspring
• cardiovascular surveillance

Acknowledgements

This study was conducted as part of the requirements for MD degree from the Goldman Medical School at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).