Postpartum Period
Conditions
Keywords
Postpartum anemia, Postpartum hemorrhage, Ultrasound, Cesarean section, Intra-abdominal bleeding
Brief summary
Postpartum hemorrhage and anemia are considered a major health concern due to their impact on maternal morbidity and mortality, quality of life, and maternal cognitive and emotional functioning after delivery, which are particularly important during the critical period of mother-child bonding. Hemoglobin levels in the first 24 hours after delivery do not reflect the lowest point (nadir). The postpartum nadir occurs 48-72 hours after delivery due to the initial redistribution of plasma volume. The aim of this study was to examine whether postpartum ultrasound examination precedes laboratory test results in the diagnosis of anemia due to blood loss after cesarean section.
Detailed description
According to the World Health Organization, postpartum anemia should be recognized as a major health concern, as it affects the quality of life, cognitive and emotional function of the mother, which are particularly important during the critical period of mother-child bonding. Additionally, anemia may impact mother-infant interaction, potentially leading to cognitive delays in infants. Furthermore, postpartum anemia increases the risk of postpartum depression, the need for blood transfusions, length of hospital stays, and hospitalization costs. Hemoglobin (HB) levels within the first 24 hours postpartum do not reflect the lowest point (nadir). The postpartum nadir occurs 48-72 hours after birth due to initial plasma volume redistribution. Diagnosis is made by measuring HB levels, and anemia is defined when HB is below 10 g at 48 hours postpartum. Postpartum anemia requires immediate treatment upon diagnosis and preferably before discharge. The incidence of postpartum anemia in developing countries is 50-80%. This high incidence reflects a combination of reasons including under or late diagnosis, lack of awareness, and early hospital discharge. Postpartum hemorrhage, particularly after cesarean section (CS), is a leading cause of postpartum anemia (HB \<10 g%) as well as significant morbidity and mortality. When bleeding occurs into the abdominal cavity, diagnosis is more difficult and delayed, often only detected when vital signs become unstable. Early diagnosis is crucial for proper management of blood loss and life-saving interventions. Diagnosis includes laboratory tests and imaging modalities, and treatment is determined based on severity, ranging from iron supplementation, blood transfusions, and even surgical interventions if necessary. A certain amount of intra-abdominal fluid is common after most CS. However, there is no standardized reference in gynecological literature regarding what fluid volume is considered normal or pathological after surgery, nor its association with complications such as pain, infection, or prolonged hospitalization. Studies have shown that free intra-abdominal fluid was detected in 73% of patients after CS using CT scans, whereas ultrasound (US) detected fluid in less than 5% of women. Recently, advanced US technology has become available, including 3D imaging and Doppler technology, which allows for quantitative fluid volume assessment. US is considered a valuable tool for rapid assessment of intra-abdominal free fluid. It is a safe, fast, and non-invasive diagnostic modality that can be used in post-cesarean women to detect and measure intra-abdominal and pelvic fluid, causing minimal patient discomfort. US has several advantages over CT scans and most gynecology departments are equipped with US machines, and gynecologists are trained to use them in clinical practice. Currently, there is no routine use of US to assess intra-abdominal fluid volume after CS. HB levels are only measured 24 hours post-surgery, which does not necessarily reflect the nadir value. After discharge, many postpartum women may not take iron supplements due to unrecognized anemia, poor tolerance, or low adherence. The aim of this study was to examine whether postpartum ultrasound examination compared to standard care, precedes laboratory test results in the diagnosis of anemia due to blood loss after CS.
Interventions
DIAGNOSTIC_TESTUltrasound
The purpose of the test is to diagnose and assess the amount of blood loss.
OTHERStandard care
Routine management
Sponsors
Holy Family Hospital, Nazareth, Israel
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
Parallel Assignment
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
FEMALE
Age
18 Years to 50 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Women who delivered by a cesarean section. * Age over 18. * Fluent in Hebrew or Arabic. * Signed informed consent form.
Exclusion criteria
* Lack of consent or inability to provide informed consent. * Inability to perform a post-surgical ultrasound, such as post-surgery hospitalization in the intensive care unit. * Women with preoperative coagulation disorders. * Women whose clinical condition requires a post-cesarean ultrasound examination.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Hemoglobin drop of 2g% or more within 24 - 36 hours | 24 -72 hours | The proportion of women with a decrease in Hb levels of over 2 g% identified within 24 hours of surgery in both groups. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| HB levels after 48-72 | 72 hours postpartum | Difference in average HB levels after 48-72 hours between the two study groups |
| Inferior Vena Cava (IVC) diameter | up to 72 hours postpartum | Measurement of IVC diameter during inspiration and expiration |
| IVC collapsibility index | up to 72 hours postpartum | IVC expiration-IVC inspiration/IVC expiration |
| Uterine walls diameter | up to 72 hours postpartum | Measured midway between the fundus and the cervix of the uterus |
| Uterine endometrial diameter | up to 72 hours postpartum | Measuring the thickness of the inner layer of the uterus |
| Uterine length | up to 72 hours postpartum | Measured from the external cervical os to the fundus |
| Maximum vertical depth of intra-abdominal fluid | up to 72 hours postpartum | The measurement will be performed using abdominal and/or vaginal transducer |
| Urine volume in the bladder | up to 72 hours postpartum | The measurement will be performed using an abdominal or vaginal transducer |
| Rate of women in the study group with intra-abdominal fluid | up to 72 hours postpartum | The measurement will be performed using abdominal and/or vaginal transducer |
| Intra-abdominal fluid volume | up to 72 hours postpartum | The assessment will be performed using abdominal and/or vaginal transducer |
| Presence of intra-abdominal hematomas | up to 72 hours postpartum | The assessment will be performed using abdominal and/or vaginal transducer |
| Objective assessment of intraoperative blood loss | up to 72 hours postpartum | Calculated blood loss = total blood volume × (prepartum hematocrit - postpartum hematocrit) + total blood volume transfused (if applicable). |
| Administration of blood products | up to 72 hours postpartum | Number of blood units administrated |
| Postoperative fever | up to 72 hours postpartum | Maternal fever 38C or more |
| Incidence of women with surgical site infection | Postoperative day 2 to day 7. | An infection in the part of the body where a surgery took place |
| Length of hospital stay | up to 10 days postpartum | Number of days from delivery to discharge |
| Maternal discomfort during the ultrasound examination | up to 72 hours postpartum | Measured on a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = no discomfort, 5 = very uncomfortable). |
| HB levels after 4 - 6 weeks | 6 weeks postpartum | Difference in average HB levels 4 - 6 weeks between the two study groups |
Countries
Israel
Contacts
CONTACTRaed Sa, MD
CONTACTBassam Abboud, MD
STUDY_CHAIRRaed Salim, MD
Holy Family Hospital, Nazareth, Israel
Outcome results
None listed