Implication of Vaginal and Cesarean Section Delivery Method in Black-White Differentials in Infant Mortality in the United States: Linked Birth/Infant Death Records, 2007-2016

Collaborative Training as a Conduit to Build Knowledge in Black Birth Workers

BACKGROUND

Black women have worse birthing outcomes in part due to perceived racism. Therefore, mistrust between Black birthing people and their obstetric providers is profound. Black birthing people may use doulas to support and advocate throughout their pregnancy.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to create a structured didactic training between community doulas and institutional obstetric providers to address common pregnancy complications that disproportionately affect Black women.

STUDY DESIGN

The collaborative training session was a 2-h-long session jointly developed by a community doula, Maternal/Fetal Medicine physician, and a nurse midwife. The doulas (n = 12) took a pre- and post-test assessment before and after collaborative training. The scores were averaged, and we calculated student t tests between the pre- and post-assessment. A p-value of < 0 .05 was significant.

RESULTS

All twelve participants who completed this training session identified as Black cisgender women. The mean score correct of the pretest results was 55.25%. The initial percent correct for post-birth warning signs, hypertension in pregnancy, and gestational diabetes mellitus/ breastfeeding sections were 37.5%, 72.9%, and 75%, respectively. Following training, the percent correct per section increased to 92.7%, 81.3%, and 100% respectively. The mean score of correct answers on the post-test increased to 91.92% (p < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

An educational framework that leverages community and institutional partnerships between doulas and institutional obstetric providers can bridge the gap to improve knowledge of community partners and increase trust of Black birth workers.

Race, ethnicity, and indications for primary cesarean birth: Associations within a national birth center registry

BACKGROUND

Racial and ethnic disparities in cesarean rates in the United States are well documented. This study investigated whether cesarean inequities persist in midwife-led birth center care, including for individuals with the lowest medical risk.

METHODS

National registry records of 174,230 childbearing people enrolled in care in 115 midwifery-led birth center practices between 2007 and 2022 were analyzed for primary cesarean rates and indications by race and ethnicity. The lowest medical risk subsample (n = 70,521) was analyzed for independent drivers of cesarean birth.

RESULTS

Primary cesarean rates among nulliparas (15.5%) and multiparas (5.7%) were low for all enrollees. Among nulliparas in the lowest-risk subsample, non-Latinx Black (aOR = 1.37; 95% CI, 1.15-1.63), Latinx (aOR = 1.51; 95% CI, 1.32-1.73), and Asian participants (aOR = 1.48; 95% CI, 1.19-1.85) remained at higher risk for primary cesarean than White participants. Among multiparas, only Black participants experienced a higher primary cesarean risk (aOR = 1.49; 95% CI, 1.02-2.18). Intrapartum transfers from birth centers were equivalent or lower for Black (14.0%, p = 0.345) and Latinx (12.7%, p < 0.001) enrollees. Black participants experienced a higher proportion of primary cesareans attributed to non-reassuring fetal status, regardless of risk factors. Place of admission was a stronger predictor of primary cesarean than race or ethnicity.

CONCLUSIONS

Place of first admission in labor was the strongest predictor of cesarean. Racism as a chronic stressor and a determinant of clinical decision-making reduces choice in birth settings and may increase cesarean rates. Research on components of birth settings that drive inequitable outcomes is warranted.

Trends and Factors Associated With Mortality Rates of Leading Causes of Infant Death: A CDC Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research (CDC WONDER) Database Analysis

BACKGROUND

Infant mortality is a critical indicator of a nation's healthcare system and social well-being. This study explores trends and factors associated with mortality rates for three leading causes of infant death: congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities; disorders related to short gestation and low birth weight, not elsewhere classified; and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

METHODS

Utilizing the CDC WONDER (CDC Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research) database, we conducted a retrospective observational analysis of infant mortality rates and associated factors. Data encompassed multiple years, allowing for trend analysis and exploration of influencing variables. Study variables included demographic, maternal, prenatal, and leading cause as factors.

RESULT

Trends in infant mortality rates varied across causes. The overall mortality rate was 2.69 per 1,000 (p=0.000) people during 2007-2020. The highest rates were observed in 2007 (3.05), 2008 (3.01), and 2009 (2.93) per 1,000 infants. For congenital malformations, deformations, and chromosomal abnormalities, the rate ranged from 1.35 to 1.12 (2007-2020). Gender-based mortality differences were subtle (male rate 2.88 per 1,000 infants, p=0.000; female infants 2.50 per 1,000 infants, p=0.000). The examination of infant mortality trends also explored maternal variables, including maternal age, education, and delivery method. The analysis revealed disparities across variables. Teenage maternal age correlated with higher mortality rates, while maternal education was associated with lower rates. Vaginal delivery (2.61 per 1,000 infants, p=0.199) showed slightly lower rates compared to cesarean section (2.86 per 1,000 infants, p=0.076).

CONCLUSION

This study utilizes the CDC WONDER database and offers evidence of changing trends in infant mortality rates for the selected causes. Factors such as maternal age (30-34 years and 35-39 years), race/ethnicity (Black or African-American and White), birthplace (in hospital), and mother's education (master's degree) were identified as influencing mortality rates. These findings contribute to informed policymaking and interventions aimed at mitigating infant mortality and improving the well-being of infants and their families. Further research is needed to fully understand the underlying dynamics of these trends and factors.

Racial differentials in American Indian- White American Postneonatal Mortality in the United States: evidence from cohort linked birth/infant death records

Purpose

Postneonatal mortality (PNM), which differs from infant and perinatal mortality, has been observed in the past 25 years with respect to the health outcomes of children. While infant and perinatal mortality have been well-evaluated regarding racial differentials, there are no substantial data on PNM in this perspective. The purpose of this study was to assess whether or not social determinants of health adversely affect racial/ethnic PNM differentials in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional, nonexperimental epidemiologic study design was used to assess race as an exposure function of PNM using Cohort Linked Birth/Infant Death Data (2013). The outcome variable assessed PNM, while the main independent variables were race, social demographic variables (i.e. sex and age) and social determinants of health (i.e. marital status and maternal education). The chi-square statistic was used to assess the independence of variables by race, while the logistic regression model was used to assess the odds of PNM by race and other confounding variables.

Findings

During 2013, there were 4,451 children with PNM experience. The cumulative incidence of PNM was 23.6% (n = 2,795) among white infants, 24.3% (n = 1,298) among Black/African-Americans (AA) and 39.5% (n = 88) were American-Indian infants (AI), while 21.3% (n = 270) were multiracial, χ2 (3) = 35.7, p < 0.001. Racial differentials in PNM were observed. Relative to White infants, PNM was two times as likely among AI, odds ratio (OR) 2.11 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.61, 2.78). After controlling for the confounding variables, the burden of PNM persisted among AI, although slightly marginalized, adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 1.70, (99% CI 1.10, 2.65).

Originality/value

In a representative sample of US children, there were racial disparities in PNM infants who are AI compared to their white counterparts, illustrating excess mortality. These findings suggest the need to allocate social and health resources in transforming health equity in this direction.

Variation and racial/ethnic disparities in Caesarean delivery at New York City hospitals: The contribution of hospital-level factors

PURPOSE

We aimed to quantify general and specific contextual effects associated with Caesarean delivery at New York City (NYC) hospitals, overall and by maternal race/ethnicity.

METHODS

Among 127,449 singleton, nulliparous births at NYC hospitals from 2015 to 2017, we used multilevel logistic regression to examine the association of hospital characteristics (public/private ownership, teaching status and delivery caseloads) with Caesarean delivery, overall, and by maternal race/ethnicity. We estimated the intra-class correlation (ICC) to examine general contextual effects and 80% interval odds ratios (IOR) and percentage of opposed odds ratios (POOR) to examine specific contextual effects.

RESULTS

Overall, 27.8% of births were Caesareans. The general contextual (hospital) effect on Caesarean delivery was small (ICC: 1.8%). Hospital characteristics associated with Caesarean delivery differed by maternal race/ethnicity, with delivery in teaching hospitals reducing the odds of Caesarean delivery among White (IOR: 0.31, 0.86; POOR: 4.7%) and Asian women (IOR: 0.41, 0.95; POOR: 7.3%), but not among Black (IOR: 0.51, 1.34; POOR: 30.7%) or Hispanic women (IOR: 0.44, 1.24; POOR: 22.6%). Hospital ownership and caseloads were not associated with Caesarean delivery for any group.

CONCLUSION

There is little within-hospital clustering of Caesarean delivery, suggesting that Caesarean disparities may not be explained by hospital of delivery.

Obstetric and perinatal racial and ethnic disparities

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Healthcare disparities are health differences that adversely affect disadvantaged populations. In the United States, research shows that women of color, in particular Black and Hispanic women and their offspring, experience disproportionately higher mortality, severe maternal morbidity, and neonatal morbidity and mortality. This review highlights recent population health sciences and comparative effectiveness research that discuss racial and ethnic disparities in maternal and perinatal outcomes.

RECENT FINDINGS

Epidemiological research confirms the presence of maternal and neonatal disparities in national and multistate database analysis. These disparities are associated with geographical variations, hospital characteristics and practice patterns, and patient demographics and comorbidities. Proposed solutions include expanded perinatal insurance coverage, increased maternal healthcare public funding, and quality improvement initiatives/efforts that promote healthcare protocols and practice standardization.

SUMMARY

Obstetrical healthcare disparities are persistent, prevalent, and complex and are associated with systemic racism and social determinants of health. Some of the excess disparity gap can be explained through community-, hospital-, provider-, and patient-level factors. Providers and healthcare organizations should be mindful of these disparities and strive to promote healthcare justice and patient equity. Several solutions provide promise in closing this gap, but much effort remains.

Are Primary Health Care Features Associated with Reduced Late Neonatal Mortality in Brazil? An Ecological Study

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the effect and efficiency of the characteristics of PHC facilities' structures and the work process of PHC teams on late neonatal mortality (LNM).

METHODS

This ecological time-series study adopted 3.764 Brazilian municipalities as analysis units. The independent variables were sorted into three hierarchical levels and four blocks. The distal level consisted of economic and demographic variables; the intermediate level comprised health coverage and demand for services; and the proximal level included structure and work process. The dependent variable was LNM. A linear mixed-effects regression analysis with a hierarchical approach was performed, estimating the crude (β) and adjusted (alpha = 5%) regression coefficients. Data involution analysis and municipalities were the decision-making unit according to their strata.

RESULTS

LNM was directly associated with the number of live births and unemployment rate. LNM was inversely associated with the year, per capita income, the community health worker's strategy coverage, vaginal delivery, household visits, and available vaccines. In the 2002-2014 period, the number of municipalities efficient in reducing LNM dropped from 38 to 27. In 2014, a more significant investment occurred in the number of vaginal deliveries in almost all strata to make inefficient municipalities efficient.

CONCLUSION FOR PRACTICE

The deaths of children aged 7-28 days are affected by the characteristics of the PHC structure and work process.

Comparison of clinical and echocardiographic features of first and second waves of COVID-19 at a large, tertiary medical center serving a predominantly African American patient population

As clinicians have gained experience in treating patients with the novel SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) virus, mortality rates for patients with acute COVID-19 infection have decreased. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has identified the African American population as having increased risk of COVID-19 associated mortality, however little is known about echocardiographic markers associated with increased mortality in this patient population. We aimed to compare the clinical and echocardiographic features of a predominantly African American patient cohort hospitalized with acute COVID-19 infection during the first (March–June 2020) and second (September–December 2020) waves of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to investigate which parameters are most strongly associated with composite all-cause mortality. We performed consecutive transthoracic echocardiograms (TTEs) on 105 patients admitted with acute COVID-19 infection during the first wave and 129 patients admitted during the second wave. TTE parameters including left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular global longitudinal strain (LVGLS), right ventricular global longitudinal strain (RVGLS), right ventricular free-wall strain (RVFWS), and right ventricular basal diameter (RVBD) were compared between the two groups. Clinical and demographic characteristics including underlying co-morbidities, biomarkers, in-hospital treatment regimens, and outcomes were collected and analyzed. Univariable and multivariable analyses were performed to determine variables associated with all-cause mortality. There were no significant differences between the two waves in terms of age, gender, BMI, or race. Overall all-cause mortality was 35.2% for the first wave compared to 14.7% for the second wave (p < 0.001). Previous medical conditions were similar between the two waves with the exception of underlying lung disease (41.9% vs. 29.5%, p = 0.047). Echocardiographic parameters were significantly more abnormal in the first wave compared to the second: LVGLS (− 17.1 ± 5.0 vs. − 18.9 ± 4.8, p = 0.02), RVGLS (− 15.7 ± 5.9% vs. − 19.0 ± 5.9%, p < 0.001), RVFWS (− 19.5 ± 6.8% vs. − 23.2 ± 6.9%, p = 0.001), and RVBD (4.5 ± 0.8 vs. 3.9 ± 0.7 cm, p < 0.001). Stepwise multivariable logistic analysis showed mechanical ventilation, RVFWS, and RVGLS to be independently associated with mortality. In a predominantly African American patient population on the south side of Chicago, the clinical and echocardiographic features of patients hospitalized with acute COVID-19 infection demonstrated marked improvement from the first to the second wave of the pandemic, with a significant decrease in all-cause mortality. Possible explanations include implementation of evidence-based therapies, changes in echocardiographic practices, and behavioral changes in our patient population. Mechanical ventilation and right-sided strain-based markers were independently associated with mortality.