Trends in adverse pregnancy outcomes in Louisiana, 2017 to 2022

Abstract Natural disasters can lead to more adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). It is unclear if the extended COVID-19 pandemic has impacted APOs and pre-existing conditions among perinatal populations with increased risk of severe maternal morbidity and mortality. A retrospective chart review was con...

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Main Authors: Chelsea L. Kracht, Emily W. Harville, Nicole L. Cohen, Elizabeth F. Sutton, Maryam Kebbe, Leanne M. Redman
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-03-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94092-0
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author Chelsea L. Kracht
Emily W. Harville
Nicole L. Cohen
Elizabeth F. Sutton
Maryam Kebbe
Leanne M. Redman
author_facet Chelsea L. Kracht
Emily W. Harville
Nicole L. Cohen
Elizabeth F. Sutton
Maryam Kebbe
Leanne M. Redman
author_sort Chelsea L. Kracht
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Natural disasters can lead to more adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). It is unclear if the extended COVID-19 pandemic has impacted APOs and pre-existing conditions among perinatal populations with increased risk of severe maternal morbidity and mortality. A retrospective chart review was conducted of hospital records and birth certificates in the largest birth hospital in Louisiana from 2017 to 2022. Amongst 27,877 births (50.9% White, 38.3% Black, 28.9 ± 5.6 years), gestational diabetes (GDM) was lowest in pre-pandemic conceptions (11.0%, June 2017-May 2019) and rose to 16.4% early pandemic (October 2019-February 2020) but leveled off at 12.2% in peak (March 2020-February 2021) and late pandemic (March 2021-September 2021). Individuals who conceived in early and peak pandemic were 47% (95% CI 33, 63) and 11% (95% CI 2, 20) more likely to develop GDM respectively, compared to pre-pandemic conceptions. Individuals who delivered during early (aRR: 1.54, 95% CI 1.33–1.78), peak (aRR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.32–1.65), and late (aRR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.41, 1.85) pandemic were more likely to develop preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome compared to pre-pandemic conceptions. Individuals were also 17% (95% CI 5, 32) more likely to enter pregnancy with chronic hypertension in peak pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. In paired analysis (n = 3390), individuals with a pandemic conception that occurred early pandemic had a higher risk of developing GDM compared to their pre-pandemic pregnancy (aOR 3.26, 95% CI 1.52, 6.97). Supporting birthing individuals amongst significant stressful events, especially in early gestation, is critical for preventing APOs and severe maternal morbidity and mortality.
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spelling doaj-art-b46192ece1c04a12972da4f78e67d59f2025-08-20T02:41:31ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-03-011511910.1038/s41598-025-94092-0Trends in adverse pregnancy outcomes in Louisiana, 2017 to 2022Chelsea L. Kracht0Emily W. Harville1Nicole L. Cohen2Elizabeth F. Sutton3Maryam Kebbe4Leanne M. Redman5Pennington Biomedical Research CenterDepartment of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical MedicineDepartment of Epidemiology, Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical MedicineWoman’s HospitalFaculty of Kinesiology, University of New BrunswickPennington Biomedical Research CenterAbstract Natural disasters can lead to more adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). It is unclear if the extended COVID-19 pandemic has impacted APOs and pre-existing conditions among perinatal populations with increased risk of severe maternal morbidity and mortality. A retrospective chart review was conducted of hospital records and birth certificates in the largest birth hospital in Louisiana from 2017 to 2022. Amongst 27,877 births (50.9% White, 38.3% Black, 28.9 ± 5.6 years), gestational diabetes (GDM) was lowest in pre-pandemic conceptions (11.0%, June 2017-May 2019) and rose to 16.4% early pandemic (October 2019-February 2020) but leveled off at 12.2% in peak (March 2020-February 2021) and late pandemic (March 2021-September 2021). Individuals who conceived in early and peak pandemic were 47% (95% CI 33, 63) and 11% (95% CI 2, 20) more likely to develop GDM respectively, compared to pre-pandemic conceptions. Individuals who delivered during early (aRR: 1.54, 95% CI 1.33–1.78), peak (aRR: 1.48, 95% CI 1.32–1.65), and late (aRR: 1.62, 95% CI 1.41, 1.85) pandemic were more likely to develop preeclampsia and HELLP syndrome compared to pre-pandemic conceptions. Individuals were also 17% (95% CI 5, 32) more likely to enter pregnancy with chronic hypertension in peak pandemic compared to pre-pandemic. In paired analysis (n = 3390), individuals with a pandemic conception that occurred early pandemic had a higher risk of developing GDM compared to their pre-pandemic pregnancy (aOR 3.26, 95% CI 1.52, 6.97). Supporting birthing individuals amongst significant stressful events, especially in early gestation, is critical for preventing APOs and severe maternal morbidity and mortality.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94092-0
spellingShingle Chelsea L. Kracht
Emily W. Harville
Nicole L. Cohen
Elizabeth F. Sutton
Maryam Kebbe
Leanne M. Redman
Trends in adverse pregnancy outcomes in Louisiana, 2017 to 2022
Scientific Reports
title Trends in adverse pregnancy outcomes in Louisiana, 2017 to 2022
title_full Trends in adverse pregnancy outcomes in Louisiana, 2017 to 2022
title_fullStr Trends in adverse pregnancy outcomes in Louisiana, 2017 to 2022
title_full_unstemmed Trends in adverse pregnancy outcomes in Louisiana, 2017 to 2022
title_short Trends in adverse pregnancy outcomes in Louisiana, 2017 to 2022
title_sort trends in adverse pregnancy outcomes in louisiana 2017 to 2022
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-94092-0
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