Is African descent an independent risk factor of peripartum cardiomyopathy?

Risk factors for peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) are controversial. PPCM seems to be more prevalent in women of African descent, the highest observed incidence is in Haiti (1 per 300 live births). Our retrospective study conducted in Martinique showed an incidence of 1 per 5500 live births. This incidence is significantly lower than in Haiti. Women from Martinique and Haiti do not differ for most classical risk factors: African descent, age, pregnancy-associated hypertension, multiple pregnancy and pre-eclampsia. However, the parity rate and the socioeconomic level are different. Thus, African descent could be confounded by high parity rate and socioeconomic status.