Pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of ethnic minorities in a public hospital in Hong Kong: a ‎retrospective matched cohort pilot study

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the pregnancy and perinatal outcomes of ethnic minorities at a public hospital in Hong Kong.

Methods: Medical records of non-Chinese women (excluding Western women) who had singleton pregnancies and delivered at ≥24 gestational weeks between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023 at Kwong Wah Hospital were retrieved, as were records of Chinese women matched for parity and maternal age with the closest delivery dates. The two groups were compared, and multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine independent factors associated with adverse outcomes.

Results: In total, 218 ethnic minority women and 218 matched Chinese women were included. Non-Chinese women were more often unbooked, had higher body mass index, had lower haemoglobin levels at booking visits, and were more likely to have chronic hypertension and ‎preeclampsia. However, non-Chinese women had lower intrapartum blood loss ‎and a lower incidence of postpartum haemorrhage but higher rates of overall and emergency lower-segment Caesarean section. Non-Chinese women were more likely to undergo Caesarean section due to cephalopelvic disproportion or lack of progress, failed induction, and hypertensive disorders. A trend towards higher neonatal intensive care unit admission rates was observed among non-Chinese women.

Conclusion: Compared with Chinese women, non-Chinese women had higher rates of unbooked antenatal care, preeclampsia, and Caesarean section, as well as lower haemoglobin levels at booking visits, but lower rates of postpartum haemorrhage. Early recognition and close monitoring of risk factors are particularly important for ethnic minority women.