Race Differences in Transfusion Thresholds in Patients Undergoing Cesarean Delivery [ID: 1377655

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Transfusion is a major contributor to severe maternal morbidity (SMM) and is influenced by the presence of anemia on admission for delivery. As rates of SMM vary by race, we sought to describe transfusion thresholds by race and hemoglobin on admission for delivery. METHODS: This was an IRB-approved retrospective cohort analysis of deliveries in a single health care network from 2015 to 2020. Multivariable binomial regression models assessed the relationship between transfusion, hemoglobin on admission for delivery, and race. Patients with hemorrhage, abruption, or placenta abnormalities were excluded to control for events associated with transfusion. Models were adjusted for age, parity, insurance, marital status, and tobacco use and evaluated by mode of delivery. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin less than 11.0 mg/dL. RESULTS: Eighty-one thousand six hundred thirteen delivery admissions were included. People of Black race diagnosed with anemia had 1.4 times the odds of transfusion compared to White race (95% CI 1.1–1.8). In anemic patients undergoing cesarean, people of Black race had two times the odds of transfusion than people of White race (95% CI 1.4–2.7). For example, people of Black race undergoing cesarean with starting hemoglobin of 6.0 mg/dL had a 76% (95% CI 64–88%) predicted probability of transfusion compared to 27% (95% CI 17–37%) for people of White race at the same starting hemoglobin undergoing cesarean. CONCLUSION: Transfusion was more likely in people of Black race compared to White race regardless of starting hemoglobin value or underlying risk factors. This was most pronounced in patients undergoing cesarean. Exploration of specific factors contributing to this finding in the context of structural racism and inequitable care are warranted.