Perinatal and Postpartum Health Among People With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Key Points

Question  How do perinatal and postpartum outcomes differ for birthing people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) compared with their peers without IDD?

Findings  This cohort study including data from 55 440 birthing people with IDD enrolled in Medicaid found that birthing people with IDD had a younger mean age at first delivery (24.9 years vs 26.4 years) compared with people without IDD. In addition, birthing people with IDD had higher risks for multiple medical and mental health conditions (gestational diabetes, 10.3% vs 9.9%; gestational hypertension, 8.7% vs 6.1%; preeclampsia, 6.1% vs 4.4%).

Meaning  This study suggests that clinician training and resources for birthing people with IDD and their families or caregivers are needed to support reproductive health care and improve outcomes for birthing people, which supports outcomes for their children and families as well.