Pregnant individuals in the United States, especially younger and Hispanic or non-Hispanic Black women, who visit the emergency department (ED) four or more times during pregnancy are more likely to experience severe maternal morbidity (SMM) at the time of birth. A study based on data from over 774,000 pregnant women in Massachusetts found that those with multiple ED visits had a higher risk of SMM, particularly those with public insurance, comorbidities, or opioid use-related hospitalizations. The authors highlight the need for integrated responses to address disparities in maternal and neonatal outcomes during pregnancy. Funding for the study came from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Health Resources and Services Administration Maternal and Child Health Bureau.
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Frequent ED Visits and Risk for Severe Maternal Morbidity
