BackgroundPostpartum hemorrhage remains the leading cause of maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Few population-based studies have examined the epidemiology of massive transfusion for postpartum hemorrhage. The aim of this study was to determine the incidence, management, and outcomes of women with postpartum hemorrhage who required massive transfusion in the Netherlands between 2004 and 2006.MethodsData for all women from a gestational age of 20 weeks onwards who had postpartum hemorrhage requiring eight or more red blood cell concentrates were obtained from a nationwide population-based cohort study including all 98 hospitals with a maternity unit in the Netherlands.ResultsThree hundred twenty-seven women who had postpartum hemorrhage requiring massive transfusion were identified (massive transfusion rate 91 per 100,000 deliveries (95% confidence interval: 81–101)). The median blood loss was 4500 mL (interquartile range 3250–6000 mL) and the median number of red blood cell concentrates transfused was 11 units (interquartile range 9–16 units). Among women receiving massive transfusion, the most common cause of hemorrhage was uterine atony. Eighty-three women (25%) underwent hysterectomy, 227 (69%) were admitted to an intensive care unit, and three women died (case fatality rate 0,9%).ConclusionThe number of women in the Netherlands who had postpartum hemorrhage treated with massive transfusion was relatively high compared to other comparable settings. Evidence-based uniform management guidelines are necessary.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12884-017-1384-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Introduction Incidence of massive transfusion after birth was high in the Netherlands between 2004 and 2006 compared with other high‐income countries. This study investigated incidence, causes, management and outcome of women receiving massive transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage in the Netherlands in more recent years. Material and methods Data for all pregnant women who received eight or more units of packed red blood cells from a gestational age of 20 weeks and within the first 24 hours after childbirth, during 2011 and 2012, were obtained from a nationwide retrospective cohort study, including 61 hospitals with a maternity unit in the Netherlands. Results Incidence of massive transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage decreased to 65 per 100 000 births (95% CI 56‐75) between 2011 and 2012, from 91 per 100 000 births (95% CI 81‐101) between 2004 and 2006, while median blood loss increased from 4500 mL (interquartile range 3250‐6000) to 6000 mL (interquartile range 4500‐8000). Uterine atony remained the leading cause of hemorrhage. Thirty percent (53/176) underwent peripartum hysterectomy between 2011 and 2012, compared with 25% (83/327) between 2004 and 2006. Case fatality rate for women who received massive transfusion due to postpartum hemorrhage was 2.3% (4/176) between 2011 and 2012, compared with 0.9% (3/327) between 2004 and 2006. Conclusions The incidence of postpartum hemorrhage with massive transfusion decreased in the Netherlands between both time frames, but remained an important cause of maternal mortality and morbidity, including peripartum hysterectomy. National surveillance of maternal morbidity and mortality due to postpartum hemorrhage through an improved and continuous registration with confidential enquiries may lead to the identification of clear improvements of maternal care.

The TeMpOH-2 study was supported by an internal grant from Sanquin Research (PPOC 13-029).Tem International GmbH (Munich, Germany) provided the Leiden University Medical Center with a ROTEM® device on the basis of a loan agreement without additional charge. The other two hospitals already owned ROTEM® devices that were made available for this study. Reagents used in the ROTEM® devices were at the expense of the study without discount.