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Am J Perinatol 2023; 40(14): 1567-1572
DOI: 10.1055/s-0041-1739305
Original Article

Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Cesarean Morbidity

Adina R. Kern-Goldberger 
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
,
Whitney Booker
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
2   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
,
Alexander Friedman
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
2   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
,
Cynthia Gyamfi-Bannerman
1   Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
2   Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, New York
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Abstract

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.

Keywords

racial disparities - maternal morbidity - neonatal morbidity - cesarean section - surgical complications

Note

The study was presented at The Society for Reproductive Investigation 66th Annual Scientific Meeting. Paris, France. March 12–16, 2019. Abstract 2185.




Publication History

Received: 23 October 2020

Accepted: 04 October 2021

Article published online:
10 December 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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