BackgroundDuring childbirth, the maternal need for intensive care unit (ICU) services is not well-defined. This information could influence the decision whether to incorporate ICU services into the labor and delivery suite.MethodsThis study reports (1) ICU use and mortality rates in a statewide population of obstetric patients during their hospital admission for childbirth, and (2) the risk factors associated with ICU admission and mortality. A case–control design using patient records from a state-maintained anonymous database for the years 1984–1997 was used. Outcome variables included ICU use and mortality rates.ResultsOf the 822,591 hospital admissions for delivery of neonates during the study period, there were 1,023 ICU admissions (0.12%) and 34 ICU deaths (3.3%). Age, race, hospital type, volume of deliveries, and source of admission independently and in combination were associated with ICU admission (P < 0.05). The most common risk factors associated with ICU admission included cesarean section, preeclampsia or eclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage (P< 0.001). Black race, high hospital volume of deliveries, and longer duration of ICU stay were associated with ICU mortality (P< 0.05). The most common risk factors associated with ICU mortality included pulmonary complications, shock, cerebrovascular event, and drug dependence (P< 0.05).ConclusionsThis study shows that ICU use and mortality rate during hospital admission for delivery of a neonate is low. These results may influence the location of perinatal ICU services in the hospital setting.