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.
Key words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: September 18, 2009
Accepted:
June 23,
2009
Received in revised form:
April 15,
2009
Received:
December 17,
2008
Footnotes
Cite this article as: Willinger M, Ko C-W, Reddy UM. Racial disparities in stillbirth risk across gestation in the United States. Am J Obstet Gynecol 2009;201:469.e1-8.
Identification
Copyright
Published by Elsevier Inc.
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