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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting
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A Novel Method for Involving Women of Color at High Risk for Preterm Birth in Research Priority Setting

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Disparities in mortality rates among US infants born late preterm or early term, 2003-2005

Jennifer P King1,2, Julie A Gazmararian3, Carrie K Shapiro-Mendoza4

  • 1Department of Epidemiology, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, 1518 Clifton Rd. NE, CNR Room 3019, Atlanta, GA, 30322, USA. king.jennifer@marshfieldclinic.org.

Maternal and Child Health Journal
|March 23, 2013
PubMed

Insights

Infant mortality rates are higher for late preterm and early term births, especially among minority racial/ethnic groups and younger mothers. Key causes include congenital malformations and sudden infant death syndrome.

Area of Science:

  • Perinatal epidemiology
  • Public health
  • Neonatal outcomes

Background:

  • Late preterm (34-36 weeks) and early term (37-38 weeks) births represent a significant proportion of deliveries.
  • These infants are at increased risk for adverse outcomes compared to full-term infants.
  • Disparities in infant mortality within these gestational age groups are not well-characterized.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify disparities in neonatal, post-neonatal, and overall infant mortality rates.
  • To examine these disparities by race/ethnicity, maternal age, and plurality.
  • To determine the leading causes of death in infants born late preterm and early term.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of US period linked birth/infant death datasets (2003-2005).
  • Comparison of infant mortality rates stratified by race/ethnicity, maternal age, and plurality.
  • Identification of leading causes of death.

Main Results:

  • Infants born late preterm to American Indian/Alaskan Native, non-Hispanic Black, or teenage mothers had the highest mortality rates.
  • Infants born early term to American Indian/Alaskan Native, non-Hispanic Black, or teenage mothers also showed elevated mortality rates.
  • Singletons born late preterm had higher mortality than twins; twins born early term had higher mortality than singletons.
  • Congenital malformations and sudden infant death syndrome were leading causes of death for both groups.

Conclusions:

  • Significant disparities in infant mortality exist among late preterm and early term infants based on race/ethnicity, maternal age, and plurality.
  • Targeted clinical practices and prevention strategies are needed to address the high-risk infants identified.
  • Further research into the specific causes and contributing factors for these disparities is warranted.

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