Structural racism is associated with adverse postnatal outcomes among Black preterm infants.
Kayla L KarvonenSafyer McKenzie-SampsonRebecca J BaerLaura Jelliffe-PawlowskiElizabeth E RogersMatthew S PantellBrittany D ChambersPublished in: Pediatric research (2022)
Structural racism, measured by racial and income segregation, was associated with adverse postnatal outcomes among Black preterm infants including frequent acute care visits, rehospitalizations, and death after hospital discharge. This study extends our understanding of the impact of structural racism on the health of Black preterm infants beyond the perinatal period and provides reinforcement to the concept of structural racism contributing to racial disparities in poor postnatal outcomes for preterm infants. Identifying structural racism as a primary cause of racial disparities in the postnatal period is necessary to prioritize and implement appropriate structural interventions to improve outcomes.