Trends and inequities in severe maternal morbidity in Massachusetts: A closer look at the last two decades

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0279161
• Publication Date: 2022-12-20T18:35:31Z
• Authors: Hafsatou Diop; Eugene R. Declercq; Chia-Ling Liu; Howard J. Cabral; Xiaohui Cui; Ndidiamaka Amutah...; Audra Meadows
• Keywords: Amniotic fluid embolism

It is estimated that 50,000–60,000 pregnant people in the United States (US) experience severe maternal morbidity (SMM). SMM includes life-threatening conditions, such as acute myocardial infarction, renal failure, amniotic fluid embolism, disseminated intravascular coagulation, or sepsis. Prior research has identified both rising rates through 2014 and wide racial disparities SMM. While reducing death been a global goal for past several decades, limited progress made US achieving this goal. Our objectives were to examine trends from 1998–2018 identify factors contributing persistent of by race/ethnicity describe Black non-Hispanic/White non-Hispanic rate ratio each condition. We used population-based data system links delivery records their corresponding hospital discharge (excluding transfusion) per 10, 000 deliveries examined race/ethnicity. then conducted stratified analyses separately White birthing people. during same periods steadily increased all racial/ethnic groups, experienced greatest absolute increase compared any other race/ethnic group going 69.4 1998–2000 173.7 10,000 2016–2018. In addition, we found had higher every individual condition people, with ratios ranging low 1.11 heart failure surgery high 102.4 sickle cell anemia. Obesity was not significantly associated among but [aRR 1.18 (95% CI: 1.02, 1.36)]. An unbiased understanding how affected different groups key improving health preventing mortality needs be addressed medical public challenge.