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Risk Factors Associated with Maternal Postpartum Hospital Readmission: A Systematic Review
Haichao Huang1, Mingzhu Wu2, Huaqiong Zhou3,4
1School of Nursing, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tianjin 301617, China.
Nursing Reports (Pavia, Italy)
|July 27, 2026
Summary
Maternal postpartum hospital readmissions are influenced by various factors including demographics, lifestyle, and health conditions. Identifying these risk factors is crucial for improving maternal health outcomes and reducing readmission rates.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Public Health
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Maternal postpartum readmissions significantly impact maternal health and indicate potential quality of care issues.
- Understanding readmission drivers is vital for enhancing postpartum care and patient outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and synthesize evidence on risk factors for maternal hospital readmissions within 42 days postpartum.
- To identify key demographic, socioeconomic, behavioral, institutional, obstetric, and morbidity-related factors associated with readmissions.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of CINAHL, EMBASE, and MEDLINE databases (2010-2024).
- Inclusion of studies reporting prevalence and risk estimates for 42-day postpartum readmissions.
- Risk of bias assessment using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and adherence to PRISMA guidelines.
Main Results:
- Sixty studies involving 7758 articles were included, with readmission rates ranging from 0.1236‰ to 26%.
- Identified significant risk factors include maternal age, race/ethnicity, substance use, cesarean delivery, prolonged hospital stay, premature birth, and comorbidities like mental health disorders, severe maternal morbidity, and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy.
Conclusions:
- A complex array of factors contributes to maternal postpartum readmissions.
- Developing a multidimensional risk assessment framework is recommended to guide individualized clinical approaches for postpartum care and reduce readmission rates.