biostudies-literatureUnknown25(1)Dun C<h4>Introduction</h4>Cesarean sections are commonly performed in the United States, including among patients for whom vaginal delivery may be clinically feasible. This study aimed to evaluate rates and factors associated with cesarean section use and inpatient cost among low-risk deliveries in selected U.S. states.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis using Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) State Inpatient database for Maryland, Florida, and Wisconsin between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2020. American Hospital Association (AHA) data and median household income quartiles based on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) 2018 estimates were included in this study to assess hospital and patient neighborhood characteristics. AHA daBMC pregnancy and childbirth1036https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12502602biostudies-literatureEvaluating rates and factors associated with cesarean section and inpatient cost among low-risk deliveries in selected U.S. states.PMC12502602Dun CKharrazi HWei SZhang SAziz KBfalseEvaluating rates and factors associated with cesarean section and inpatient cost among low-risk deliveries in selected U.S. states.<h4>Introduction</h4>Cesarean sections are commonly performed in the United States, including among patients for whom vaginal delivery may be clinically feasible. This study aimed to evaluate rates and factors associated with cesarean section use and inpatient cost among low-risk deliveries in selected U.S. states.<h4>Methods</h4>This was a retrospective, cross-sectional analysis using Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP) State Inpatient database for Maryland, Florida, and Wisconsin between January 1, 2017, and December 31, 2020. American Hospital Association (AHA) data and median household income quartiles based on the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) 2018 estimates were included in this study to assess hospital and patient neighborhood characteristics. AHA da2025-01-01T00:00:00Z2025 Oct2026-06-04T08:41:42.513Z2026-05-07T03:09:02.905ZS-EPMC125026024105778310.1186/s12884-025-08148-0