Perinatal Mortality in the United States, 2020-2021
Insights
Perinatal mortality, encompassing late fetal and early neonatal deaths, saw shifts during the COVID-19 pandemic. This analysis examines trends from 2020 to 2021, highlighting changes in these critical health indicators.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Maternal and Child Health
Background:
- Perinatal mortality serves as a key indicator of healthcare quality and national health status.
- The U.S. experienced a 30% decline in perinatal mortality from 1990-2011, followed by stability and a subsequent 4% decrease (2017-2019).
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe changes in perinatal mortality, including late fetal and early neonatal mortality, during the COVID-19 pandemic years of 2020-2021.
- To analyze perinatal mortality rates by maternal age, race/Hispanic origin, and state for 2021 compared to 2020.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of national data on perinatal mortality (late fetal deaths and early neonatal deaths).
- Examination of trends from 2020 to 2021, a period encompassing the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Stratification of rates by maternal demographics and geographic location.
Main Results:
- The report details shifts in overall perinatal mortality rates between 2020 and 2021.
- Changes in the components of perinatal mortality (late fetal and early neonatal deaths) are presented.
- Perinatal mortality rates are compared across different maternal age groups, racial and Hispanic-origin populations, and states.
Conclusions:
- The study provides crucial insights into perinatal mortality trends during the unprecedented period of the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Understanding these changes is vital for assessing healthcare quality and informing public health strategies.
- Data are presented to support targeted interventions for vulnerable populations and regions.
Abstract:
Perinatal mortality(late fetal deaths at 28 completed weeks of gestation or more and early neonatal deaths younger than age 7 days) can be an indicator of the quality of health care before, during, and after delivery, and of the health status of the nation (1,2). The U.S. perinatal mortality rate declined 30% from 1990 through 2011, was stable from 2011 through 2016, and declined 4% from 2017 through 2019 (1,3-5). This report describes changes in perinatal mortality, as well as its components, late fetal and early neonatal mortality, from 2020 to 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also shown are perinatal mortality rates by mother's age, the three largest race and Hispanic-origin groups, and state for 2021 compared with 2020.
