Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cesarean Morbidity.

OBJECTIVE: Maternal race and ethnicity have been identified as significant independent predictors of obstetric morbidity and mortality in the United States. An appreciation of the clinical contexts in which maternal racial and ethnic disparities are most pronounced can better target efforts to alleviate these disparities and improve outcomes. It remains unknown whether cesarean delivery precipitates these divergent outcomes. This study assessed the association between maternal race and ethnicity and cesarean complications. STUDY DESIGN: We conducted a retrospective cohort study from a multicenter observational cohort of women undergoing cesarean delivery. Nulliparous women with non-anomalous singleton gestations who underwent primary cesarean section were included. Race/ethnicity was categorized as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic, Asian, Native American, or unknown. The primary outcome was a composite of maternal cesarean complications including hysterectomy, uterine atony, blood transfusion, surgical injury, arterial ligation, infection, wound complication, and ileus. A composite of neonatal morbidity was evaluated as a secondary outcome. We created a multivariable logistic regression model adjusting for selected demographic and obstetric variables that may influence the likelihood of the primary outcome. RESULTS: A total of 14,570 women in the parent trial met inclusion criteria with an 18.8% incidence of the primary outcome (2,742 women). After adjusting for potential confounding variables, maternal surgical morbidity was found to be significantly higher for non-Hispanic Black (adjusted odds ratios [aORs] 1.96, 95% confidence intervals [CIs] 1.63-2.35) and Hispanic (aOR 1.66, 95% CI 1.37-2.01) women as compared with non-Hispanic white women. Neonatal morbidity was similarly found to be significantly associated with the Black race and Hispanic ethnicity. CONCLUSION: In this cohort, the odds of cesarean-related maternal and neonatal morbidity were significantly higher for non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women. These findings suggest race as a distinct risk factor for cesarean complications, and efforts to alleviate disparities should highlight cesarean section as an opportunity for improvement in outcomes. KEY POINTS: · Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic women experienced more cesarean complications than non-Hispanic White women.. · These findings suggest that disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes exist specifically following cesarean section.. · Efforts to alleviate disparities in obstetrics should highlight cesarean section as an opportunity for improvement..

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Maternal and Neonatal Adverse Outcomes in College-Educated Women.

OBJECTIVE: To compare composite maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes among women with at least a bachelor's degree by racial and ethnic groups. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study using the U.S. vital statistics data sets. We included women with at least a bachelor's degree who delivered a nonanomalous live singleton neonate at 24-40 weeks. The primary outcome, composite maternal adverse outcome, included admission to intensive care unit, maternal transfusion, ruptured uterus, unplanned hysterectomy, or unplanned operating room procedure after delivery. The secondary outcome, composite neonatal adverse outcome, included 5-minute Apgar score less than 5, assisted ventilation for more than 6 hours, neonatal seizure, birth injury, or neonatal death. Multivariable regression models were used to estimate the association between maternal race and adverse outcomes. RESULTS: Of 11.8 million live births, 2.2 million (19%) met the inclusion criteria; 81.5% were to non-Hispanic white women, 8.5% to non-Hispanic black women, and 10% Hispanic women. The overall rate of composite maternal adverse outcome was 5.3 per 1,000 live births. Compared with non-Hispanic white women, the risk of the composite maternal adverse outcome was significantly higher among non-Hispanic black women (adjusted relative risk [aRR] 1.20; 95% CI 1.13-1.27), but lower among Hispanic women (aRR 0.69; 95% CI 0.64-0.74), a pattern which varied among different gestational age groups. The overall rate of composite neonatal adverse outcome was 11.6 per 1,000 live births. The risk of composite neonatal adverse outcome was significantly higher among neonates with non-Hispanic black mothers (aRR 1.25; 95% CI 1.20-1.30), but lower among neonates with Hispanic mothers (aRR 0.71; 95% CI 0.68-0.75), compared with neonates delivered by non-Hispanic white mothers and varied across gestational age. CONCLUSION: Among women with at least a bachelor's degree, small but measurable racial and ethnic disparities in composite maternal and neonatal adverse outcomes.

Does maternal asthma contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in obstetrical and neonatal complications?

PURPOSE: To examine whether maternal asthma contributes to racial/ethnic differences in obstetrical and neonatal complications. METHODS: Data on white (n = 110,603), black (n = 50,284), and Hispanic (n = 38,831) singleton deliveries came from the Consortium on Safe Labor. Multilevel logistic regression models, with an interaction term for asthma and race/ethnicity, estimated within-group adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for gestational diabetes, gestational hypertension, pre-eclampsia, placental abruption, premature rupture of membranes, preterm delivery, maternal hemorrhage, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, small for gestational age, apnea, respiratory distress syndrome, transient tachypnea of the newborn, anemia, and hyperbilirubinemia after adjustment for clinical and demographic confounders. Nonasthmatics of the same racial/ethnic group were the reference group. RESULTS: Compared with nonasthmatics, white asthmatics had increased odds of pre-eclampsia (aOR, 1.28; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15-1.43) and maternal hemorrhage (aOR, 1.14; 95% CI, 1.04-1.23). White and Hispanic infants were more likely to have neonatal intensive care unit admissions (aOR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.11-1.28; aOR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.02-1.32, respectively) and be small for gestational age (aOR, 1.11; 95% CI, 1.02-1.20; aOR, 1.26; 95% CI, 1.10-1.44, respectively), and Hispanic infants were more likely to have apnea (aOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.02-1.69). CONCLUSIONS: Maternal asthma did not affect most obstetrical and neonatal complication risks within racial/ethnic groups. Despite their increased risk for both asthma and many complications, our findings for black women were null. Asthma did not contribute to racial/ethnic disparities in complications.

The impact of ethnic population dynamics on neonatal ECMO outcomes: a single urban institutional study.

INTRODUCTION: Neonatal extracorporeal membrane oxygenation ECMO has been clinically used for the last 25 y. It has been an effective tool for both cardiac and non cardiac conditions. The impact of ethno-demographic changes on ECMO outcomes however remains unknown. We evaluated a single institution's experience with non cardiac neonatal ECMO over a 28-y period. METHODS: A retrospective review of all neonates undergoing noncardiac ECMO between the y 1984 and 2011 was conducted and stratified into year groups I, II, III (≤1990, 1991-2000, and ≥2001). Demographic, clinical, and outcome data were collected. The patient specifics, ECMO type, ECMO length, blood use, complications, and outcomes were analyzed. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses were then performed. RESULTS: Data was available for 827 patients. The number of African-American and Hispanic patients increased over the last 27 y (27.5% versus 45.0% and 3.3% versus 21.5%, year group I versus year group III, respectively). The proportion of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) patients by ethnicity also increased for African-Americans and Hispanics between the two year groups (22.0% to 33.0% and 4.9% to 33.0%, respectively). Similar pattern was noted for non-CDH diagnoses. Low birth weight, low APGAR scores, CDH, primary pulmonary hypertension, central nervous system hemorrhage, and ECMO were independent predictors of mortality. Ethnicity, in itself however, was not associated with mortality on adjusted analysis. CONCLUSION: More African-Americans and Hispanics have required ECMO over the years with a concurrent decrease in the number of Caucasians. While ethnicity was not an independent predictor of mortality, it appears to be a surrogate for fatal but sometime preventable diagnoses among minorities. Further investigations are needed to better delineate the reason behind this disparity.

Assessment of special care newborn units in India.

The neonatal mortality rate in India is high and stagnant. Special Care Newborn Units (SCNUs) have been set up to provide quality level II newborn-care services in several district hospitals to meet this challenge. The units are located in some remotest districts where the burden of neonatal deaths is high, and access to special newborn care is poor. The study was conducted to assess the functioning of SCNUs in eight rural districts of India. The evaluation was based on an analysis of secondary data from the eight units that had been functioning for at least one year. A cross-sectional survey was also conducted to assess the availability of human resources, equipment, and quality care. Descriptive statistics were used for analyzing the inputs (resources) and outcomes (morbidity and mortality). The rate of mortality among admitted neonates was taken as the key outcome variable to assess the performance of the units. Chi-square test was used for analyzing the trend of case-fatality rate over a period of 3-5 years considering the first year of operationalization as the base. Correlation coefficients were estimated to understand the possible association of case-fatality rate with factors, such as bed:doctor ratio, bed:nurse ratio, average duration of stay, and bed occupancy rate, and the asepsis score was determined. The rates of admission increased from a median of 16.7 per 100 deliveries in 2008 to 19.5 per 100 deliveries in 2009. The case-fatality rate reduced from 4% to 40% within one year of their functioning. Proportional mortality due to sepsis and low birthweight (LBW) declined significantly over two years (LBW <2.5 kg). The major reasons for admission and the major causes of deaths were birth asphyxia, sepsis, and LBW/prematurity. The units had a varying nurse:bed ratio (1:0.5-1:1.3). The bed occupancy rate ranged from 28% to 155% (median 103%), and the average duration of stay ranged from two days to 15 days (median 4.75 days). Repair and maintenance of equipment were a major concern. It is possible to set up and manage quality SCNUs and improve the survival of newborns with LBW and sepsis in developing countries, although several challenges relating to human resources, maintenance of equipment, and maintenance of asepsis remain.

Poverty as context for the parenting experience of low-income Lumbee Indian mothers with a medically fragile infant.

PURPOSE: To explore the influence of poverty on the parenting experience and maternal developmental trajectory of Lumbee mothers with medically fragile infants. DESIGN: A multiple-case study design using secondary data from a larger longitudinal study of parental role attainment with medically fragile infants. SAMPLE: Five cases involving mothers who were Lumbee Indians and who had medically fragile infants. RESULTS: The key features of the mothers' talk about their parenting experiences were organized into categories that fit into five inductively derived themes related to poverty. IMPLICATIONS: Health care professionals need to be aware of how the context of living in poverty affects mothers of high-risk infants who are hospitalized in tertiary care units. In particular, low-income mothers, especially American Indians living in high-poverty areas, urgently need improved community resources such as access to birth control; early prenatal care; programs to help reduce drug, alcohol, and tobacco use both during and following pregnancy; and follow-up health and developmental services for their infants.

Epidemiology of infants of diabetic mothers in indigent Micronesian population-Guam experience.

Diabetes complicating pregnancy has not yet been properly evaluated in Guam and the prevalence and morbidity of infants of diabetic mothers (IDM) in Micronesian population on Guam is described. The prevalence of IDM among the Micronesian population is 5.0% vs non-Micronesian's 3.7%. 82.5% were gestational diabetic mothers (GDM) diet controlled, 10.2% were GDM insulin controlled and 6.9% had Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus. LGAs were 11% of IDMs in contrast to 6.4% of total births. Ten infants (NICU) spent total of 29 days on ventilator. Cesarean delivery, LGA, oxygen and ventilatory requirements were higher in Micronesian IDMs than in the non-Micronesian IDMs. The incidence is also higher in the Micronesian population (5.0%) compared to non Micronesian population (3.7%) on Guam. Micronesian IDMs were at higher risk for cesarean delivery, recurrent hypoglycemia, oxygen and ventilatory requirements than their non-Micronesian counterparts were. There is also a higher incidence of LGA among the Micronesian population and Chuukese had the highest incidence probably because they seek late or no prenatal care. We report 5.0% prevalence of diabetes during pregnancy in Micronesian population on Guam which imposes a significant economic burden on the local government's hospital resources. Micronesian IDMs were at higher risk for cesarean delivery, LGA, recurrent hypoglycemia, oxygen and ventilatory requirements than their non-Micronesian counterparts were. Chuukese had the highest LGA incidence in the study group. About 2/3rd of the IDM stayed 1110 extra days in hospital. IDMs accounted for the majority of expensive off-island transports.

Racial differences in newborn intensive care morbidity in Alaska.

Birthweight-specific neonatal mortality for Alaska Natives is higher than for non-natives for the years 1987-1996. We investigated the reasons for this based on Level III Neonatal Intensive Care Unit information available from 1991-1996. We also investigated whether differences in mortality extended to measures of morbidity. There were less Native patients born at the tertiary care center for babies with birthweight < 1500 grams and 1500-2499 grams (64% for Natives and 87% for non-natives, p = .000). Differences in antenatal referral were only apparent for the population residing within the Anchorage/Mat-Su area. There were also less cesarean deliveries for Native infants that were born outside of the tertiary care center for both birthweight categories (25% for Native vs. 53% for non-native infants < 1500 grams, p = .01; 27% for Native vs. 48% for non-native infants 1500-2499 grams, p = .01). For Alaska Native babies < 1500 grams there was more necrotizing enterocolitis (13% in Native vs. 4.9% in non-native, p = .01), more severe retinopathy of prematurity (12% in Native vs. 4.6% in non-native, p = .01), and more bronchopulmonary dysplasia (49% in Native vs. 34% in non-native, p = .04). For Alaska Native babies 1500-2499 grams that needed ventilatory assistance there was more intraventricular hemorrhage (19% in Native vs. 7.4% in non-native, p = .003), more severe (grade 3-4) intraventricular hemorrhage (9.5% in Native vs. 0.9% in nonnative, p = .001), and more acquired sepsis (7.1% in Native vs. 1.7% in non-native, p = .02). Differences in access to Level III perinatal care and intrapartum care (cesarean delivery rates) are likely factors that contribute to the worse outcomes in the Alaska Native population.