Racial differences in cesareans: an analysis of U.S. 2001 National Inpatient Sample Data.

Objective: To evaluate racial differences in potentially unnecessary cesareans in the United States.

Methods: The 2001 Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project Nationwide Inpatient Sample database was used to analyze various maternal demographic and clinical parameters among women having cesarean deliveries. For the purpose of our study, if there were no diagnoses related to cesarean delivery on the discharge certificate, the cesarean was classified as potentially unnecessary

Results: Using our methodology, 11% of 540,174 primary and 65% of 371,863 repeat cesareans for the year 2001 in the United States were classified as potentially unnecessary.

Unnecessary cesarean delivery in Louisiana: an analysis of birth certificate data.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to explore the temporal trends and factors that are associated with cesarean deliveries and potentially unnecessary cesarean deliveries.

Study Design: The Louisiana birth certificate database was evaluated to identify a total of 57 potential indications/risk factors and maternal demographic factors that are associated with methods of delivery over the period from January 1993 to December 2000. A cesarean delivery without any potential indications/risk factors in the birth certificate was classified as unnecessary.