The characteristics of a fibroid in pregnancy can influence the perinatal outcome.

UNLABELLED

The prevalence of fibroids during reproductive age is 20-25%. The presence of fibroids during pregnancy can impact perinatal outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To determine whether fibroids affect perinatal outcomes and whether women who undergo fibroid surgery before pregnancy have better perinatal outcomes than those who have fibroids during pregnancy. The study also analyzes the optimal time interval between myomectomy and pregnancy and the characteristics of fibroids during pregnancy that affect perinatal outcomes. In both groups, fibroids' size, number, and location were analyzed to determine their influence on perinatal outcomes. The perinatal outcome is determined by gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, intrauterine growth retardation, placental complications, and delivery method.

METHODS

A study was conducted on the perinatal outcomes of 338 women who had uterine fibroids during pregnancy and those who had undergone fibroid surgery before pregnancy. The medical records of women who gave birth at a tertiary university hospital were analyzed in this retrospective study.

RESULTS

Women with submucosal fibroids have a lower gestational age of delivery (P = 0.0371), and those who operated on a higher number of fibroids before pregnancy had newborns with lower birth weights (P < 0.0001). Submucosal fibroids during pregnancy increase the chances of cesarean delivery (P = 0.0354). 14% of newborns have an Apgar score of less than seven within the first minute of birth in fibroids larger than 7 cm (P < 0.0001).

CONCLUSION

There is a statistically significant difference in the perinatal outcome of newborns depending on the number, size and placement of uterine fibroids in both observed groups.