Abstract/Description
Background: Eclampsia is a severe obstetric complication with significant maternal health implications, disproportionately affects women with certain sociodemographic and health risk factors. This study investigates the characteristics and outcomes of women who experienced eclampsia using data from the national Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).
Methods: This analysis included a sample of 729 women with eclampsia from the 2020–2022 PRAMS (N = 238,575). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to examine patterns and factors associated with preterm-birth, low birth weight (LBW), and cesarean delivery.
Results: Over half of the women were aged ≥35 years (50.6%), unmarried (59.4%), never attended college (63.6%), reported unintended pregnancies (60.8%). High rates of cesarean delivery (50.9%), preterm-birth (52.0%), and LBW (58.8%) were observed, with significant racial and age differences. Cesarean delivery was most common among Black women (65.1%), followed by Hispanic (53.1%), White (51.7%), and other race/ethnicity (45.3%). Women aged ≥35 had the highest rates of LBW (66.2%) and cesarean delivery (58.5%). Adjusted analysis showed Black women had higher odds of cesarean delivery (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.19–3.85), and inadequate prenatal care was linked to increased odds of LBW (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.21–2.35) and preterm birth (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.29–3.48).
Conclusion: Women with eclampsia experience socioeconomic and healthcare barriers, with racial and age-related disparities in birth outcomes, underscoring the need for early, equitable maternal care.
Faculty Advisor/Mentor
Hongyun Fu
Faculty Advisor/Mentor Department
Department of Pediatrics, Community Health and Research Division
College/School/Affiliation
Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS)
Included in
Cardiovascular Diseases Commons, Community Health Commons, Community Health and Preventive Medicine Commons, Critical Care Commons, Family Medicine Commons, Obstetrics and Gynecology Commons
Socioeconomic, Behavioral, and Health Profiles of Women with Eclampsia: Findings from the 2020–2022 National Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System Data
Background: Eclampsia is a severe obstetric complication with significant maternal health implications, disproportionately affects women with certain sociodemographic and health risk factors. This study investigates the characteristics and outcomes of women who experienced eclampsia using data from the national Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS).
Methods: This analysis included a sample of 729 women with eclampsia from the 2020–2022 PRAMS (N = 238,575). Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and multivariate logistic regression were conducted to examine patterns and factors associated with preterm-birth, low birth weight (LBW), and cesarean delivery.
Results: Over half of the women were aged ≥35 years (50.6%), unmarried (59.4%), never attended college (63.6%), reported unintended pregnancies (60.8%). High rates of cesarean delivery (50.9%), preterm-birth (52.0%), and LBW (58.8%) were observed, with significant racial and age differences. Cesarean delivery was most common among Black women (65.1%), followed by Hispanic (53.1%), White (51.7%), and other race/ethnicity (45.3%). Women aged ≥35 had the highest rates of LBW (66.2%) and cesarean delivery (58.5%). Adjusted analysis showed Black women had higher odds of cesarean delivery (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.19–3.85), and inadequate prenatal care was linked to increased odds of LBW (OR: 1.68; 95% CI: 1.21–2.35) and preterm birth (OR: 2.14; 95% CI: 1.29–3.48).
Conclusion: Women with eclampsia experience socioeconomic and healthcare barriers, with racial and age-related disparities in birth outcomes, underscoring the need for early, equitable maternal care.