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A new CDC report reveals that black mothers were experiencing twice as fetal deaths as white mothers. Read along to get a full understanding of the issue.
Shocking fetal death rates amongst black mothers
A report by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released on Thursday found the fetal death rates reduce by five percent for black mothers between 2020 and 2021. However, the rates are significantly higher than their white counterparts. The rate was 9.8 per 1,000 live births for black mothers. However, it was 4.8 per 1,000 live births for white mothers. The CDC data reveals, in the first year of the pandemic, the rate of all black fetal deaths was 10.34. In 2019, the number was 10.41.
Fetal mortality counts stillbirths or death in gestations. However, this does not include miscarriages and abortions. As per the CDC, miscarriages are loss of pregnancy before the 20-week-long gestational age. The disparity also echos the disproportion of death rates of black babies when compared to white babies. Experts believe this continued gap needs quick address.
More on the death rate
Previous reports revealed an association between COVID-19 infection during pregnancy and stillbirths. On the other hand, the new analysis reveals the same overall fetal deaths in the US for pre and post-pandemic periods. However, the authors note, the COVID status of the mom “is not routinely collected on reports of fetal death unless entered as a cause of death, and, therefore, its impact cannot be directly examined here”. In general, pregnant people with covid are at a higher risk.
“In spite of the 5% reduction, the actual fetal death rate is so much higher in non-Hispanic Black women. It’s persistent,” stated Dr. Shari Lawson. Dr. Lawson is the director of general obstetrics and gynecology at Johns Hopkins Medicine. “Pregnant people who contract COVID are at higher risk for adverse outcomes, such as needing a ventilator, being admitted to the ICU, or developing preeclampsia,” she added.
