Racial/Ethnic Differentials in Infant and Neonatal Mortality Following a Cesarean Delivery

Sarah McKinnon, University of Texas at Austin
Catherine McNamee, University of Texas at Austin

Rates of all and low-risk cesarean deliveries have recently risen and have been found to be more common among racial/ethnic minorities. This study investigates racial/ethnic differentials in infant and neonatal mortality following all, low-risk, and very low-risk cesarean deliveries. Using NCHS infant birth/death data (1998-2002) overall cesarean mortality risks are higher for NH-blacks and NH-American Indians and nonsignificant for Mexican Origin, Other Hispanics, and NH-Asian and Pacific Islanders compared with risks for NH-whites. For low-risk cesareans, NH-American Indians have higher mortality risks while NH-blacks have a higher risk for only infant mortality. Both Hispanic groups have significantly lower risks. In the very-low risk model, NH-American Indians continue to demonstrate higher risks, Mexican Origin and Other Hispanics continue to have lower risks, and NH-blacks and NH-Asian and Pacific Islanders do not differ significantly from NH-whites. These differentials are consistent with those identified in previous studies that included vaginal and cesarean deliveries.