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Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Encephalopathy | Research

Effect of intra-partum Oxytocin on neonatal encephalopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Authors: Constance Burgod, Stuti Pant, Maria Moreno Morales, Paolo Montaldo, Phoebe Ivain, Ramyia Elangovan, Paul Bassett, Sudhin Thayyil

Published in: BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Oxytocin is widely used for induction and augmentation of labour, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In this systematic review and meta-analysis, we examined the effect of intra-partum Oxytocin use on neonatal encephalopathy.

Methods

The protocol for this study was registered with PROSPERO (ID: CRD42020165049). We searched Medline, Embase and Web of Science Core Collection databases for papers published between January 1970 and May 2021. We considered all studies involving term and near-term (≥36 weeks’ gestation) primigravidae and multiparous women. We included all randomised, quasi-randomised clinical trials, retrospective studies and non-randomised prospective studies reporting intra-partum Oxytocin administration for induction and/or augmentation of labour. Our primary outcome was neonatal encephalopathy. Risk of bias was assessed in non-randomised studies using the Risk Of Bias In Non-randomised Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool. The RoB 2.0 tool was used for randomised studies. A Mantel-Haenszel statistical method and random effects analysis model were used for meta-analysis. Odds ratios were used to determine effect measure and reported with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

We included data from seven studies (6 Case-control studies, 1 cluster-randomised trial) of which 3 took place in high-income countries (HICs) and 4 in LMICs. The pooled data included a total of 24,208 women giving birth at or after 36 weeks; 7642 had intra-partum Oxytocin for induction and/or augmentation of labour, and 16,566 did not receive intra-partum Oxytocin. Oxytocin use was associated with an increased prevalence of neonatal encephalopathy (Odds Ratio 2.19, 95% CI 1.58 to 3.04; p < 0.00001).

Conclusions

Intra-partum Oxytocin may increase the risk of neonatal encephalopathy. Future clinical trials of uterotonics should include neonatal encephalopathy as a key outcome.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of intra-partum Oxytocin on neonatal encephalopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors
Constance Burgod
Stuti Pant
Maria Moreno Morales
Paolo Montaldo
Phoebe Ivain
Ramyia Elangovan
Paul Bassett
Sudhin Thayyil
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keyword
Encephalopathy
Published in
BMC Pregnancy and Childbirth / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2393
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12884-021-04216-3

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