Title: Continuing debate about method of delivery and pregnancy outcomes: a 2010 Lancet Article
Abstract: In 2010, The Lancet published an Article by Pisake Lumbiganon and colleagues 1 Lumbiganon P Laopaiboon M Gülmezoglu AM et al. Method of delivery and pregnancy outcomes in Asia: the WHO global survey on maternal and perinatal health 2007–08. Lancet. 2010; 375: 490-499 Summary Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (694) Google Scholar on the method of delivery in relation to pregnancy outcomes in nine countries in Asia. Shortly after publication, The Lancet received correspondence from Pauline Hull, who was concerned that the conclusion drawn by Lumbiganon and colleagues was not supported by their data. The matter was referred to our Ombudsman who ruled that The Lancet should obtain an independent statistical review of the published Article. This indeed we did, but that review was not passed onto Pauline Hull at the time, contrary to our Ombudsman's ruling, although it was sent to the authors, who did reply to The Lancet regarding the issues raised, but their reply was not published. The case was handled by different editors within The Lancet team, which resulted in inaction and delays, for which we apologise. Formulated data do not reflect factsIn their study, Pisake Lumbiganon and colleagues' (Feb 6, 2010, p 490)1 interpretation of antepartum caesarean section without indication—ie, it “should be done only when there is a medical indication”—is an imprecise effort by WHO to influence international maternity policy. Full-Text PDF Formulated data do not reflect facts – Authors' replyWe thank Pauline Hull for her interest in our Article.1 Hull criticises our emphasis on increased maternal mortality and severe morbidity although there have been no deaths or hysterectomies. We decided on the composite outcome before the analysis was done, and we have reported all individual endpoints for transparency. We maintain our position that admission to an intensive care unit and receiving blood transfusion are important events. We are also concerned about the rare events of only nine (0·6%) in the 1515 mothers with antepartum caesarean section without indication and the sparsity of events might affect the robustness of conclusions. Full-Text PDF Method of delivery and pregnancy outcomes in Asia: the WHO global survey on maternal and perinatal health 2007–08To improve maternal and perinatal outcomes, caesarean section should be done only when there is a medical indication. Full-Text PDF
Publication Year: 2017
Publication Date: 2017-07-01
Language: en
Type: letter
Indexed In: ['crossref', 'pubmed']
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Cited By Count: 1
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