Prevalence of Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy and Gestational Diabetes Mellitus by Race and Ethnicity in Illinois, 2018 to 2020

Purpose:Use administrative discharge data from 2018 to 2020 to determine if there are differences in the prevalence of hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) by race and ethnicity in Illinois.Study Design and Methods:This retrospective cross-sectional study used administrative discharge records from all patients who had live births in Illinois over a 3-year period; 2018, 2019, 2020. Multivariate analyses were performed to control for covariates and determine if associations vary by race and ethnicity for HDP and GDM.Results:A total of 287,250 discharge records were included. Multivariate analyses showed that after adjusting for covariates, non-Hispanic Black women had 1.60 increased odds of HDP compared to non-Hispanic White women (OR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.55-1.65). Hispanic women (OR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.40-1.50), Asian/Pacific Islander women (OR, 2.07; 95% CI, 1.97-2.17), and American Indian/Alaska Native women (OR, 1.43; 95% CI, 1.17-1.74) had an increased odds of GDM compared to non-Hispanic White women.Clinical Implications:Women of color were at increased odds for HDP and GDM in Illinois. To eliminate poor maternal outcomes in women of color at risk for HDP and GDM, more culturally congruent health equity practices, policies, and comprehensive care interventions must be adopted. Pregnancy complications can have serious health implications if not identified and treated in a timely manner. Non-Hispanic Black pregnant women are two to three times more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity than non-Hispanic White women. In this study of 287,250 births in Illinois in 2018 to 2020, women of color were at increased odds for hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and gestational diabetes mellitus. To eliminate poor maternal outcomes in women of color, more culturally congruent health equity practices, policies, and comprehensive care interventions must be adopted.