The North Carolina Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) initiative to reduce infant mortality and low birth weight. N.C. PRAMS is a random, stratified, monthly mail/telephone survey of North Carolina women who recently delivered a live-born infant. The PRAMS survey collects data on maternal behaviors and experiences before, during and after pregnancy for a sample of North Carolina women. This report is based on the responses of 3,095 mothers who delivered during 2009–2011 in the state of North Carolina and participated in the PRAMS survey two to four months after delivery. Specifically, this surveillance update focuses on mothers who responded to the question, “Did you have any of the following problems during your most recent pregnancy: HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE, HYPERTENSION, PREECLAMPSIA OR TOXEMIA.” For more detailed information please visit the N.C. PRAMS website at: www.schs.state.nc.us/units/stat/prams.
* CI (95%) = Confidence Interval (at 95 percent probability level).
Percentage of North Carolina Mothers Who Reported High Blood Pressure,Hypertension, Preeclampsia or Toxemia during Most Recent Pregnancy, by Education — N.C. PRAMS 2009–11 Total< High SchoolHigh School> High SchoolPoint Estimate15.39.819.315.4Upper CI (95%)*16.813.222.717.4Lower CI (95%)*13.97.216.313.70102030405060708090100Percentage of North Carolina Mothers Who Reported High Blood Pressure,Hypertension, Preeclampsia or Toxemia during Most Recent Pregnancy, by Mother’s Weight Status before Pregnancy — N.C. PRAMS 2009–11 UnderweightNormalOverweightObesePoint Estimate24.318.821.419.8Upper CI (95%)*29.821.126.523.3Lower CI (95%)*19.416.617.016.80102030405060708090100Percentage of North Carolina Mothers Who Reported High Blood Pressure,Hypertension, Preeclampsia or Toxemia during Most Recent Pregnancy,by Baby’s Birth Weight — N.C. PRAMS 2009–11 < 2500 Grams2500+ GramsPoint Estimate29.114.1Upper CI (95%)*31.915.7Lower CI (95%)*26.412.60102030405060708090100Percentage of North Carolina Mothers Who Reported High Blood Pressure,Hypertension, Preeclampsia or Toxemia during Most Recent Pregnancy, by Marital Status — N.C. PRAMS 2009–11 MarriedOtherPoint Estimate13.418.0Upper CI (95%)*15.220.7Lower CI (95%)*11.815.60102030405060708090100
January 2014
State of North Carolina / Pat McCrory, Governor
Department of Health and Human Services / Aldona Z. Wos, M.D., Secretary / www.ncdhhs.gov
North Carolina Division of Public Health / Robin Cummings, M.D., Acting State Health Director / www.publichealth.nc.gov
State Center for Health Statistics / Karen L. Knight, M.S., Director / PRAMS / (919) 855-4495 / www.schs.state.nc.us/units/stat/prams
North Carolina DHHS is an equal opportunity employer and provider.
Surveillance Update
High Blood Pressure, Hypertension, Preeclampsia or Toxemia during Pregnancy