Impact of maternal education on the outcome of newborns requiring surgery for congenital malformations

Objective Numerous studies established a link between socioeconomic status (SES) and several dimensions of general health. This study examines the association between maternal education as a widely used indicator of SES and outcome in newborns requiring surgical correction of congenital anomalies. Methods Ambispective data analysis of newborns with esophageal atresia (EA), intestinal atresia (IA), congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH), omphalocele (OC), gastroschisis (GS) undergoing surgery between 01/2008-11/2017 accessing the clinical databases Neodat and Viewpoint. Maternal education was determined according to the validated education classification CASMIN and stratified into "low" SES and "high" SES group. Endpoints were incidence of postoperative complications, length of mechanical ventilation, and readmission to NICU. Results Inclusion of 169 patients with EA (n = 32), IA (n = 24), CDH (n = 47), OC (n = 19), GS (n = 47). Women of low SES (n = 67, 40%) attended fewer prenatal screenings (total, 4.6 vs. 7.9, P<0.0001; EA, 3.7 vs. 7.1, P = 0.0002; IA, 3.5 vs. 9.4, P = 0.0006; OC, 2.5 vs. 8.8, P = 0.009; GS, 4.1 vs. 7.0, P = 0.002). Low SES was associated with higher incidence of patients born small for gestational age (37% vs. 20%, P = 0.019), with additional congenital malformations (37% vs. 15%, P = 0.001), being born in a peripheral center (7% vs. 0%, P = 0.008), and with higher incidence of 5'APGAR scores <7 (23% vs. 7%, P = 0.004). Moreover, low SES was associated with higher incidence of postoperative complications (total 70% vs. 32%, P<0.0001; EA, 60% vs. 23%, P = 0.04; IA, 67% vs. 11%, P = 0.008; CDH, 83% vs. 46%, P = 0.009; GS, 74% vs. 25%, P = 0.001), and higher readmission rate to NICU (IA, 33% vs. 0%, P = 0.043; GS, 32% vs. 4%, P = 0.007). Conclusions Low maternal education is associated with a reduced uptake of prenatal screenings, adverse neonatal outcomes, and higher incidence of postoperative complications in newborns with congenital anomalies. Primary prevention and specific support should be provided prenatally for families with low SES to avoid adverse outcomes.