A study published in Prenatal Diagnosis reveals that second-trimester ultrasound plays a significant role in addressing the disparities in prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart disease (CHD) between women with public and private insurance. The study, led by Joyce L. Woo, M.D., from Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, analyzed electronic health records of pregnant women whose infants underwent CHD surgery between 2019 and 2020. The research aimed to understand the mechanisms behind insurance-related differences in the prenatal diagnosis of CHD.
The study found that women with public insurance had a 12.6% lower chance of receiving a prenatal diagnosis of CHD compared to those with private insurance. Public insurance was also associated with a 13.2% lower likelihood of receiving a second-trimester ultrasound. However, when the researchers adjusted for the second-trimester ultrasound receipt, the association between public insurance and prenatal diagnosis was no longer significant. In fact, second-trimester ultrasound was found to mediate 39% of the relationship between public insurance and prenatal diagnosis.
These findings emphasize the importance of second-trimester ultrasounds in detecting congenital heart disease and suggest that limited access to this procedure may contribute to health disparities. The research highlights the need for targeted interventions, such as improved access to prenatal ultrasounds, to bridge the gap between public and private insurance recipients. By understanding the factors behind these disparities, healthcare providers and policymakers can work toward more equitable prenatal care, ensuring that all pregnant women have equal access to essential diagnostic tools like ultrasound to detect CHD and other conditions.
This study underscores the crucial role of second-trimester ultrasound in reducing healthcare disparities and improving outcomes for infants with congenital heart disease.
