Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Abortion laws and the rise in sepsis cases

Sepsis cases in pregnant women have spiked roughly 50% since Texas’ abortion ban took effect in 2021, according to ProPublica’s new analysis. Sepsis is a life-threatening infection, often seen in the elderly and those with prolonged hospital stays.

By Marisa Lagos • Feb 26, 2025 • 1 min read

Sepsis cases in pregnant women have spiked roughly 50% since Texas’ abortion ban took effect in 2021, according to ProPublica’s new analysis. Sepsis is a life-threatening infection, often seen in the elderly and those with prolonged hospital stays.

Marisa Lagos
KQED political correspondent
Sarah Sweeney
Vice President of Talk Programming, KCRW
Stephen Gregory
Managing Editor, Press Play
Angie Perrin
Producer, Press Play
Lizzie Presser
ProPublica reporter

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Abortion laws and the rise in sepsis cases

Sepsis cases in pregnant women have spiked roughly 50% since Texas’ abortion ban took effect in 2021, according to ProPublica’s new analysis. Sepsis is a life-threatening infection, often seen in the elderly and those with prolonged hospital stays.

Share

Press Play with Madeleine Brand

Abortion laws and the rise in sepsis cases

Sepsis cases in pregnant women have spiked roughly 50% since Texas’ abortion ban took effect in 2021, according to ProPublica’s new analysis. Sepsis is a life-threatening infection, often seen in the elderly and those with prolonged hospital stays.

Share