Severe Maternal Morbidity in Georgia, 2009-2020

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Epidemiology
• Maternal Health

Background:

• Maternal mortality rates in the US are alarmingly high compared to other high-income nations, with Georgia experiencing particularly elevated rates.
• Severe maternal morbidity (SMM), a near-fatal complication, is 50 times more common than maternal death and requires systematic population surveillance.
• Existing research on SMM often overlooks geographical variations, particularly in the Southeast and rural areas, where maternal and infant health burdens are higher.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the epidemiology of severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in Georgia.
• To provide population-based data on SMM trends and characteristics within the state.

Main Methods:

• A population-based study utilizing linked hospital discharge records and vital statistics data.
• Analysis covered the period from 2009 to 2020 in Georgia.

Main Results:

• Georgia's SMM rate exceeded the US average (189.2 vs. 144 per 10,000 deliveries in 2014).
• SMM was more prevalent among racially minoritized individuals, those at the extremes of age, with lower socioeconomic status, and with chronic conditions.
• Rates of SMM were significantly higher for preterm or low-birth-weight infants, and SMM has been increasing in Georgia since 2015.

Conclusions:

• Severe maternal morbidity (SMM) comprises life-threatening emergencies with uneven population distribution, demanding increased public health focus.
• This study offers foundational data for developing interventions aimed at reducing SMM and maternal mortality in the Southern US.