Unexpected outcomes during labor and delivery that lead to severe complications or death, collectively known as maternal morbidity and mortality (MMM), have been on the rise in the United States in recent years. A PCORnet® data report offers valuable insights into the primary demographics and clinical conditions of individuals experiencing MMM across the country.  

The report serves as a crucial resource for researchers, enabling them to assess how PCORnet data resources can be used to address the pressing need for national-scale, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) on MMM. By providing a comprehensive overview of MMM trends and associated factors, this report has the potential to inform and guide future research efforts aimed at improving maternal health outcomes in the United States. 

Key Findings from the Public Query Report 

With a vast infrastructure that represents everyday healthcare encounters with more than 30 million people every year, PCORnet is a powerful resource to support health system research efforts on MMM. The recent PCORnet query, which explored pregnancy-related incidents occurring between October 1, 2016, and January 1, 2022, surfaced key findings relevant to MMM researchers: 

•  PCORnet resources represent a broad population of people affected by MMM: 
  • More than 1.3 million patients with delivery events identified 
  • Nearly 1.5 million patients who experienced delivery or pregnancy interruption events recorded 
• Demographic representation of people affected by MMM is varied: 
  • Average age of patients: 29.7 years 
  • Racial breakdown: White: 56%, Hispanic 21%, Black or African American: 20% 
• Maternal morbidities are wide-ranging and complex: 
  • 21 severe maternal morbidities identified  
  • Examples include blood transfusions and acute renal failure 
  • Occurrence rate: Below 1% for the cohort
• Focused research will be key to drive better MMM outcomes: 
  • Findings underscore the complexity of maternal health issues 
  • Targeted intervention strategies are recommended 

The Road Ahead 

The PCORnet infrastructure, providing access to a standardized data model and an extensive network of clinical sites, is pivotal for future MMM research. The insights gleaned from this query provide a foundation for understanding maternal health trends and can aid in planning patient-centered CER studies. 

Would you like to explore how PCORnet data resources can support your next study? Start the conversation by visiting the PCORnet® Front Door.