J Korean Matern Child Health .  2024 Apr;28(2):75-83. 10.21896/jkmch.2024.28.2.75.

Obstetricians’ Utilization of Risk Factors for High-Risk Pregnancy to Predict Complicated Pregnancies: How Are Obstetricians Using Risk Factors for High-Risk Pregnancy?

• KMID: 2555192
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21896/jkmch.2024.28.2.75

Abstract

Purpose
The aim of this study was to analyze how obstetricians use risk factors for high-risk pregnancies to predict complicated pregnancies.
Methods
Twenty-four obstetricians were surveyed using a questionnaire that included 75 high-risk pregnancy factors identified by the Korean Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology. These factors are used to predict 11 types of complicated pregnancies: preterm labor, preterm premature rupture of membranes, incompetent internal os of the cervix, placenta previa, placenta abruptio, postpartum hemorrhage, preeclampsia/eclampsia, oligohydramnios, polyhydramnios, gestational diabetes mellitus, and intrauterine growth restriction.
Results
Obstetricians utilized 65 of the 75 identified high-risk factors to predict 11 types of pregnancy complications. They identified twin pregnancy as the most significant risk factor, followed by chronic hypertension, a history of preterm birth, pregestational diabetes mellitus, advanced maternal age over 40, and a history of preeclampsia and eclampsia. Twin pregnancies were associated with all 11 complicated pregnancies. Ten of the 75 risk factors were not used for predicting complications.
Conclusion
This study demonstrated that obstetricians recognized twin pregnancy as a strong risk factor associated with complications of pregnancy. Based on the results of this paper, we expect prediction models for complicated pregnancies to be developed in the future.

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