Babies born at weekend more likely to die in first week: UK study

(MENAFN- AFP) Babies born in English NHS hospitals at weekends are more likely to die within seven days than those born on a weekday, according to a study published Wednesday in the British Medical Journal (BMJ).

Researchers from Imperial College London estimate that there are around 770 extra newborn deaths and 470 more maternal infections each year than if performance were consistent across the whole week.

The study into "the weekend effect" also suggests increased rates of other complications for mothers admitted and babies born at weekends.

Researchers analysed deliveries in NHS hospitals in England in the two-year period from April 2010, looking at perinatal mortality -- stillbirths or deaths within the first seven days -- as well as infections, emergency re-admissions, and injuries.

The perinatal mortality rate was 7.3 per 1,000 babies delivered at weekends -- 0.9 per 1,000 higher than for weekdays.

In an accompanying editorial, US obstetrics experts Jonathan Snowden and Aaron Caughey said the results fitted the concept of "capacity strain", where performance deteriorates above a certain threshold of patient volume and complexity.

Lower staffing levels at the weekends would likely lower this threshold, they said, though the study found no conclusive evidence of a link between adverse outcomes and staffing.

More research is needed to safeguard mothers and babies during vulnerable times, they said.

David Richmond, president of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG), said: "Although no definitive conclusions can be drawn from these results, they emphasise the need to identify the possible causes in order to ensure that women are receiving high-quality care at any given day of the week."

He said maternity services faced growing pressure from the rise in "complex pregnancies", including older mothers and maternal obesity.

The study comes as the government faces a backlash from medical staff over its plans for a "seven-day NHS".

Health minister Ben Gummer said the study provided "further evidence that standards of care are not uniform across the week".

Previous studies have identified a higher risk of death in patients admitted to hospital on weekends across a range of conditions -- a phenomenon termed the "weekend effect".

However, studies on whether this applies to obstetric outcomes have given conflicting results.

Louise Silverton, director for midwifery at the Royal College of Midwives (RCM), said: "The study itself does not give a reason for why these 'effects' occur.

"Midwifery and maternity staffing levels are the same on weekends as they are on weekdays. Midwives work across 24 hours, 365 days per year."