Maternal Comorbidity and Adverse Perinatal Outcomes in Female Adolescent
and Young Adult Cancer Survivors: a Cohort Study
Abstract
Objectives: To evaluate risks of preterm birth and severe maternal
morbidity (SMM) in female adolescent and young adult cancer survivors;
assess maternal comorbidity as a potential mechanism; determine whether
associations differ by use of assisted reproductive technology (ART).
Design: Retrospective cohort Setting: Privately insured females in the
U.S. Sample: Female with live births from 2000 to 2019 within
OptumLabs®, a U.S. administrative health claims dataset Methods:
Log-binomial regression models estimated relative risks of preterm birth
and SMM by cancer status and tested for effect modification. Causal
mediation analysis based on a counterfactual approach evaluated the
proportions explained by maternal comorbidity. Main Outcome Measures:
SMM, preterm birth Results: Among 46,064 cancer survivors, 2,440
singleton births, 214 multiple births, and 2,590 linked newborns
occurred after cancer. In singleton births, preterm birth incidence was
14.8% in cancer survivors versus 12.4% in females without cancer (aRR
1.19, 95%CI 1.06-1.34); SMM incidence was 3.9% in cancer survivors
versus 2.4% in females without cancer (aRR 1.44, 95%CI 1.13-1.83).
Cancer survivors had more maternal comorbidities before and during
pregnancy; 26% of the association between cancer and preterm birth and
30% of the association between cancer and SMM was mediated by maternal
comorbidities. Associations between cancer and outcomes did not differ
between ART and non-ART births. Conclusion: Preterm birth and SMM risks
were modestly increased after cancer. Significant proportions of
elevated risks may be due to increased comorbidities. Prevention and
treatment of comorbidities provides an opportunity to improve perinatal
outcomes among cancer survivors.