Maternal Mortality Trends by Age in the US
Author Information
Author(s): Huang Ryan S., Spence Andrea R., Abenhaim Haim A.
Primary Institution: Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto
Hypothesis
The study aims to examine the association of maternal age with maternal mortality in the US and analyze temporal trends in mortality by maternal age.
Conclusion
Maternal mortality increased in the US over the past two decades, particularly among women aged 35 and older.
Supporting Evidence
- 21,241 maternal deaths were recorded in the US from 2000 to 2019.
- Women aged 35 and older accounted for 32.3% of maternal deaths despite only 15.1% of live births.
- The risk of maternal mortality significantly increased with age, especially in women aged 50-54.
Takeaway
As women get older, especially those over 35, they are more likely to die during pregnancy or childbirth. This is a growing problem that needs attention.
Methodology
A retrospective population-based analysis using CDC data from 2000 to 2019, employing logistic regression models to assess the association between maternal age and mortality risk.
Potential Biases
Potential misclassification of pregnancy-associated deaths due to reliance on vital statistics data and changes in data collection methods.
Limitations
The study lacked certain demographic variables like body mass index and assisted reproductive technology data, which could impact maternal mortality.
Participant Demographics
The study analyzed maternal deaths and live births across various age groups from under 15 to 50-54 years.
Statistical Information
P-Value
<0.0001
Confidence Interval
95% CI 21.8–31.2
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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