Journal article
The association of the Social Vulnerability Index with acuity of presentation to obstetric triage
American journal of perinatology
05/28/2026
DOI: 10.1055/a-2883-6655
PMCID: PMC13474026
PMID: 42208579
Abstract
Objective Adverse social determinants of health are known to be associated with adverse pregnancy outcomes. The objective of this analysis was to assess the association between adverse community-level social determinants of health, measured with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry Social Vulnerability Index (CDC/ATSDR SVI), and acute presentation to obstetric triage. We hypothesized that adverse community-level social determinants of health would be associated with greater clinical acuity at time of presentation. Study Design This was a secondary analysis of an observational, multi-site cohort study of all triage visits from 20 0/7 through 34 6/7 weeks' gestation occurring from 1/1/2019 through 3/31/2019. Individuals enrolled with geocode and CDC SVI data available were included. The primary exposure was the overall CDC SVI. The primary outcome was presentation to obstetric triage with greater acuity. Secondary outcomes included adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. Outcomes were compared between groups based on overall SVI and by the four SVI themes. Baseline characteristics were compared. Logistic and quantile regressions were used with the lowest SVI quartile (Q1) group as referent, adjusting for hospital, parity, maternal age, tobacco use, body mass index at delivery, drug use, and existing comorbidity. Results 2,659 individuals were eligible for analysis. Individuals with higher overall SVI scores were younger and had higher BMI, and were more likely to be multiparous, use tobacco or illicit drugs, and live with co-morbidities. Higher SVI quartiles were not associated with acuity of presentation to triage (Q1 reference; Q2 aOR 0.97, 95% CI 0.68-1.38; Q3 aOR 1.10, 95% CI 0.76-1.57; Q4 aOR 1.04, 95% CI 0.72-1.50). Conclusion We found no consistent association between the CDC SVI and acuity of presentation to obstetrical triage. Further research is needed to understand the relationships between adverse community-level social determinants of health and adverse perinatal outcomes.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The association of the Social Vulnerability Index with acuity of presentation to obstetric triage
- Creators
- Tracy Caroline Bank - Christiana Care Health SystemGrecio Sandoval - Christiana Care Health SystemGeorge Saade - Christiana Care Health SystemMichael Varner - George Washington UniversityAlan Tita - The University of Texas Medical Branch at GalvestonMonica Longo - Utah Department of HealthEdward F Bell - University of IowaBarbara Stoll - Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human DevelopmentJohn M Thorp - University of IowaUma Reddy - Emory UniversityMaged M Costantine - University of North Carolina at Chapel HillWilliam A Grobman - Columbia University Irving Medical CenterDwight J Rouse - The Ohio State University Wexner Medical CenterHyagriv Simhan - Northwestern UniversityJennifer Bailit - Brown UniversitySamuel Parry - University of PennsylvaniaBaha M Sibai - The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- American journal of perinatology
- DOI
- 10.1055/a-2883-6655
- PMID
- 42208579
- PMCID
- PMC13474026
- NLM abbreviation
- Am J Perinatol
- ISSN
- 1098-8785
- eISSN
- 1098-8785
- Publisher
- Thieme; NEW YORK
- Grant note
- U24 HD036801,UG1 HD027869,UG1 HD027915,UG1 HD034208,UG1 HD040485,UG1 HD040500,UG1 HD040512,UG1 HD040544,UG1 HD040545,UG1 HD040560,UG1 HD053097,UG1 HD053109,UG1 HD087192,UG1 HD087230 / Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development
- Language
- English
- Electronic publication date
- 05/28/2026
- Academic Unit
- Stead Family Department of Pediatrics; Neonatology
- Record Identifier
- 9985164533602771
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