Women of color and those under the age of 20 are far more likely than white women and older mothers to develop maternal sepsis, according to findings from a comprehensive analysis of maternal sepsis cases in New York State, undertaken by the New York State Department of Health. Maternal sepsis is the second leading cause of maternal death in the United States; survivors often suffer severe physical, psychological and emotional trauma.
The analysis was commissioned by END SEPSIS, the Legacy of Rory Staunton, a leading national sepsis advocacy organization, with funds from the Department of Health and Human Services’ Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority. Its findings are being used to guide the development of a public awareness campaign for pregnant women and healthcare providers aimed at reducing maternal death. It includes a recently-launched public service announcement.
“Maternal mortality has increased in the United States, including in New York State, over the past 20 years,” says Dr. Marcus Friedrich, former Chief Medical Officer for New York State Department of Health’s Office of Quality and Patient Safety, who led the analysis project. “New York State Department of Health is committed to improving outcomes for sepsis, the most severe form of infection, and is pleased to collaborate with END SEPSIS to identify opportunities for targeted education of vulnerable women and their health care providers.”
Sepsis is a life-threatening condition that stems from infection; it is responsible for 270,000 American deaths annually. When sepsis occurs during pregnancy or within six weeks of giving birth, it is called maternal sepsis.
The publicly available dataset includes all maternal sepsis cases recorded in New York State between 2016 and 2018.
Major findings include:
- Black, Hispanic and Asian women had significantly higher odds of developing maternal sepsis compared to White women.
- Hispanic women are more than twice as likely as White women to develop maternal sepsis
- Black women are nearly twice as likely as White women to develop maternal sepsis
- Asian Women are almost 1.5 times as likely as White women to develop maternal sepsis
- Women with C-sections had significantly increased odds of sepsis during delivery and postpartum.
Also identified are chronic comorbidities that increase the odds of maternal sepsis.
The full dataset can be accessed: www.health.data.ny.gov
“Maternal sepsis leaves families motherless and has devastating repercussions for women who survive the condition,” says Orlaith Staunton, Executive Director of END SEPSIS. “I believe that this new information and the education campaign that will follow will have a profound impact on the lives of women, particularly women of color, in New York State and beyond.”
About END SEPSIS
END SEPSIS, the Legacy of Rory Staunton, was established following the preventable death of 12-year-old Rory Staunton from sepsis in 2012. The organization works to end the hundreds of thousands of preventable deaths and devastating disabilities caused by sepsis each year and to support those affected by the condition. END SEPSIS increases understanding of the dangers and signs of sepsis and the importance of rapid treatment, encourages self-advocacy in the medical environment and actively promotes the establishment of mandatory sepsis protocols to ensure rapid diagnosis and treatment of sepsis in hospitals and other medical settings.
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