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Comparative Study
. 2009 Nov;201(5):469.e1-8.
doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.06.057. Epub 2009 Sep 17.

Racial disparities in stillbirth risk across gestation in the United States

Marian Willinger  1 , Chia-Wen Ko, Uma M Reddy
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Racial disparities in stillbirth risk across gestation in the United States

Marian Willinger et al. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Nov.

Abstract

Objective: We sought to determine factors associated with racial disparities in stillbirth risk.

Study design: Stillbirth hazard was analyzed using 5,138,122 singleton gestations from the National Center of Health Statistics perinatal mortality and birth files, 2001-2002.

Results: Black women have a 2.2-fold increased risk of stillbirth compared with white women. The black/white disparity in stillbirth hazard at 20-23 weeks is 2.75, decreasing to 1.57 at 39-40 weeks. Higher education reduced the hazard for whites more than for blacks and Hispanics. Medical, pregnancy, and labor complications accounted for 30% of the hazard in blacks and 20% in whites and Hispanics. Congenital anomalies and small for gestational age contributed more to preterm stillbirth risk among whites than blacks. Pregnancy and labor conditions contributed more to preterm stillbirth risk among blacks than whites.

Conclusion: The excess stillbirth risk for blacks was greatest at preterm gestations, and factors contributing to stillbirth risk vary by race and gestational age.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Hazard of stillbirth for singleton pregnancies by gestational age and race/ethnicity, 2001-2002
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

  • The study of stillbirth.
    Fretts RC. Fretts RC. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009 Nov;201(5):429-30. doi: 10.1016/j.ajog.2009.06.058. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2009. PMID: 19879391 No abstract available.

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