Ehawawisit: Sociodemographic and Clinical Characteristics and Perinatal Outcomes of Métis Pregnancies in Alberta, Canada.

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to evaluate sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and perinatal outcomes of Métis pregnancies in Alberta, Canada.

METHODS

This was a retrospective population-based cohort study of all singleton pregnancies resulting in live births (≥220 weeks gestation) in Alberta (2006-2016). Métis births were identified through linkage of the Otipemisiwak Métis Government of the Métis Nation within Alberta Identification Registry with Alberta's population and perinatal registries, and compared with non-Métis pregnancies. Age-standardized prevalence and adjusted odds ratios (aOR) with 95% CIs were calculated.

RESULTS

The study included 7910 Métis and 471 522 non-Métis pregnancies. Métis pregnancies had higher rates of self-reported smoking (aOR 5.83; 95% CI 4.99-6.80), substance use during pregnancy (aOR 1.92; 95% CI 1.65-2.23), and pre-existing chronic hypertension (aOR 1.57; 95% CI 1.11-2.25). Métis deliveries had more obstetric hemorrhage complications (aOR 1.11; 95% CI 1.01-1.23), higher odds of spontaneous vaginal delivery (aOR 1.25; 95% CI 1.11-1.40), and lower odds of vacuum- or forceps-assisted delivery (aOR 0.69; 95% CI 0.63-0.75). Métis newborns had higher birth weights (3.42 kg vs. 3.35 kg), were more often large for gestational age (aOR 1.50; 95% CI 1.35-1.66), and less often small for gestational age (aOR 0.70; 95% CI 0.62-0.79). Rates of preterm births, neonatal intensive care unit admissions, and neonatal deaths were similar to those of non-Métis newborns.

CONCLUSIONS

Métis pregnancies had low overall perinatal complication rates but distinct differences in maternal and perinatal outcomes relative to non-Métis pregnancies. Métis-specific, culturally sensitive care may support improved perinatal outcomes for Métis families.