Document Type

Master's Culminating Experience

Publication Date

2013

Abstract

This report analyzes the 2006-2010 fetal death files for the state of Ohio by a variety of maternal and fetal characteristics. The issue of fetal deaths related to congenital anomalies is a growing concern as very few epidemiologic studies have been conducted in order to assess the correlation between maternal factors and the development of congenital anomalies. For this study, maternal demographics, the presence of a congenital anomaly, and maternal risks towards the pregnancy were analyzed. A Chi-Square analysis to test for variance between fetal deaths with and without the presence of a congenital anomaly was conducted. The results showed statistical significance (p < 0.05) between the two populations with respect to maternal age, race, and adequacy of prenatal care. Women who were over the age of 35 had a 3.3 percent higher rate of fetal deaths related to congenital anomalies than all other age groups and White women had a higher percentage of congenital anomalies over African American women. Inadequacy of prenatal care was associated with 62% of fetal deaths regardless of the association to congenital anomalies. These findings indicate that our data set follows expected trends for maternal age and adequacy of prenatal care, but the prevalence of congenital anomalies was centered on the White race. It was initially expected that the data would show ethical and racial minorities with a high incidence of fetal deaths and congenital anomalies. The outcomes of this study were limited and further analysis of a larger data set is recommended.

Download


Included in

Public Health Commons

Share

COinS