Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Adverse Perinatal Outcomes at Term

Jacqueline G. Parchem, Madeline Murguia Rice, William A. Grobman, Jennifer L. Bailit, Ronald J. Wapner, Michelle P. Debbink, John M. Thorp, Steve N. Caritis, Mona Prasad, Alan T.N. Tita, George R. Saade, Yoram Sorokin, Dwight J. Rouse, Jorge E. Tolosa

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to evaluate whether racial and ethnic disparities in adverse perinatal outcomes exist at term. Study Design We performed a secondary analysis of a multicenter observational study of 115,502 pregnant patients and their neonates (2008-2011). Singleton, nonanomalous pregnancies delivered from 37 to 41 weeks were included. Race and ethnicity were abstracted from the medical record and categorized as non-Hispanic White (White; referent), non-Hispanic Black (Black), non-Hispanic Asian (Asian), or Hispanic. The primary outcome was an adverse perinatal composite defined as perinatal death, Apgar score < 4 at 5 minutes, ventilator support, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy, subgaleal hemorrhage, skeletal fracture, infant stay greater than maternal stay (by ≥ 3 days), brachial plexus palsy, or facial nerve palsy. Results Of the 72,117 patients included, 48% were White, 20% Black, 5% Asian, and 26% Hispanic. The unadjusted risk of the primary outcome was highest for neonates of Black patients (3.1%, unadjusted relative risk [uRR] = 1.16, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.04-1.30), lowest for neonates of Hispanic patients (2.1%, uRR = 0.80, 95% CI: 0.71-0.89), and no different for neonates of Asian (2.6%), compared with those of White patients (2.7%). In the adjusted model including age, body mass index (BMI), smoking, obstetric history, and high-risk pregnancy, differences in risk for the primary outcome were no longer observed for neonates of Black (adjusted relative risk [aRR] = 1.06, 95% CI: 0.94-1.19) and Hispanic (aRR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.81-1.04) patients. Adding insurance to the model lowered the risk for both groups (aRR = 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75-0.96 for Black; aRR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.59-0.78 for Hispanic). Conclusion Although neonates of Black patients have the highest frequency of adverse perinatal outcomes at term, after adjustment for sociodemographic factors, this higher risk is no longer observed, suggesting the importance of developing strategies that address social determinants of health to lessen extant health disparities. Key Points Term neonates of Black patients have the highest crude frequency of adverse perinatal outcomes. After adjustment for confounders, higher risk for neonates of Black patients is no longer observed. Disparities in outcomes are strongly related to insurance status.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)557-566
Number of pages10
JournalAmerican Journal of Perinatology
Volume40
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 1 2023
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • disparities
  • neonatal outcome
  • perinatal outcome
  • race and ethnicity
  • term

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology

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