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Maternal mortality in Kentucky.

This paper reviews maternal mortality in Kentucky over the 30 year period of 1966 through 1995. Data were reviewed from the minutes of the State Maternal Mortality Study Committee and the reports of the State Cabinet of Health Services, State Centers for Health Statistics. There has been a marked fall in the number of births during this 30 years and an even more dramatic reduction in maternal mortality. Identifiable causes for maternal death have changed over the years. Today, the three leading causes of maternal mortality in Kentucky mirror those of the nation, i.e., hemorrhage, pulmonary embolus, and toxemia.

Adolescent↗

[Analysis of maternal mortality in the Czech Republic in 2000].

OBJECTIVE: Analysis of maternal mortality in the Czech Republic in 2000. DESIGN: Retrospective statistical and clinical analysis. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of the 1st Medical School of Charles University and General University Hospital, Prague 2, Institute for the Care of Mother and Child, Prague. INTRODUCTION: We present an annual analysis of maternal mortality in the Czech Republic, organized into two parts: 1) international statistical part, and 2) clinical part in Czech only with abbreviated anonymous analysis of individual cases of maternal death. We are aware that follow-up analysis cannot fully express dramatic situations around all cases or reproduce in details all their aspects. We though believe that this form will help to our gynecologists to learn about courses of the deaths, particularly when the frequency of such cases is low and circumstances are unusual. Individual analyses include also conclusions of expert committees or analyses performed by the Czech Medical Chamber. Comments and notes however are not for forensic purposes and are used only for medical ones. METHODS: We used a database of 10 cases of maternal deaths in the Czech Republic in 2000. We analyzed their causes, clinical courses, especially in connection to obstetrical surgery, and adequacy of provided care. RESULTS: There were 10 reported maternal deaths in connection to pregnancy, labor and delivery or within 42 days after delivery in the Czech Republic in 2000. There were 90,910 live-born babies and total, gross maternal mortality (A + B + C) was 0.11 per 1000, i.e. 11 deaths per 100,000 live-born babies. This is only 0.02 per 1000 better than results in 1999 (Table 3 shows data on maternal mortality for last 10 years). In 2000, there was one maternal death unrelated to gestation--category C, therefore maternal mortality in connection to gestation (A + B) was 0.099 per 1000 i.e. 9.9 deaths per 100,000 live-born babies compared to 10.1 deaths in 1999. The causes of deaths were different. Only two women were within group A (specific risk--direct maternal mortality), therefore direct maternal mortality was 2.2 per 100,000 live-born babies. Seven maternal deaths were in the group B (non-specific risk--indirect maternal mortality) and indirect maternal mortality was unusually high, 7.7 per 100,000 live-born babies. It is difficult to judge the difference due to possible error of small numbers. The demographic part of the report has been sent to the Office of Health Statistics and Information and detailed report to the Department of Health Care of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. CONCLUSIONS: Since 1994, when we introduced nationwide organization measures to identify risk groups of pregnant women and use of micro-heparinization among those, we have succeeded to lower the frequency of thrombolism, till then leading cause of maternal deaths, especially in links to operative deliveries and in smaller extent among high-risk women during pregnancy. The decrease of maternal mortality was substantial, by 50%, however only temporary, followed by a partial increase to about 10 maternal deaths per 100,000 live-born babies. This increase was to increased frequency of coagulopathies, HELLP syndrome, and, in 2000, due to non-specific cardiovascular causes and some neurologic complications. The majority of these cases and especially those with non-adequate obstetrical care will be anonymously analyzed together with responsible chiefs of ob/gyn departments during perinatology conference in 2002 and results will be consequently published. Increase of non-specific causes of maternal deaths in 2000, especially of those with cardiovascular complications, indicate a necessity to be careful especially with older parturients, diabetic women, obese women and "dangerous" multiparae, where the possibility of cardiovascular complications might require need concentrated medical diagnosis. Primary attention, though, should be aimed at impaired coagulation of blood. The cases of complications of DIC persistently show insufficient diagnostic and therapeutic measures especially in small facilities with limited laboratory compartments, outdated and wrong therapeutic measures and almost missing potential for consultancy. In spite of this it is particularly necessary to concentrate on prevention among cases with higher risk for DIC. We have concentrated on publications in collaboration with hematologists and anesthesiologists in this field, although some measures are lacking the universal consent, especially some therapeutic means. It is very important to us that chiefs of ob/gyn departments are open for professional discussions, although some situations are prone to forensic evaluation. We believe that our approach of anonymous analyses with two-year delay is sufficient for necessary audit of maternal mortality.

Adult↗

Impact of mode of delivery on maternal mortality in eclampsia.

Determinants of maternal mortality and causes of death pertaining to mode of delivery have been discussed. There were 23 deaths (case fatality rate of 7.2%) and maximum deaths occurred in intrapartum eclampsia (12 ie, 52.17%). Caesarean section was performed in 92 cases (28.7%) of which 4 women died (4.3%). Maternal mortality in cases who delivered vaginally was 7.1% (16 out of 225) and 3 cases died undelivered. Authors feel that at the referral centres early caesarean section in eclampsia may help in reducing maternal mortality.

Adult↗

Maternal mortality in Australia, 1973-1996.

AIMS: Maternal mortality has declined dramatically over the past 30 years in developed countries. This retrospective study aims to provide an epidemiological overview of maternal deaths in Australia between 1973 and 1996. METHODS: Data were abstracted from national maternal mortality data collection and triennial reports for the period 1973-1996 for women who died from pregnancy-related causes while pregnant or within 42 days of a pregnancy being delivered or terminated. Deaths were restricted to those classified as direct or indirect maternal deaths. Maternal mortality age-specific mortality ratios were calculated. The leading causes of death were examined. RESULTS: Of the 584 deaths, 363 were direct and 221 indirect. The leading causes of direct death were pulmonary embolism (18.4%) and hypertensive disorders (16.3%). Cardiovascular disease accounted for 41% of indirect deaths. The maternal mortality ratio declined from 12.7 deaths per 100,000 confinements in 1973-1975 to 6.2 in 1991-1993, and was 10.0 for the entire 24-year period. For women aged 40-44 years the ratio declined from 165.1 to 14.2 between 1973 and 1996. The ratio for Indigenous mothers was three times higher than for non-Indigenous mothers, being 34.8 in the most recent triennium 1994-1996. CONCLUSIONS: Although maternal deaths are rare in Australia, apparent health inequality persists with Indigenous mothers continuing to have a higher risk of maternal death. While mortality in traditionally higher risk women aged > 40 years has declined, women with morbid cardiovascular disease continue to be over-represented in the deaths. The comparatively high rate of deaths from pulmonary embolism needs to be addressed.

Age Factors↗

[Maternal mortality in Switzerland 1985-1994].

The maternal mortality rate in the west has dropped drastically in the last 100 years. As yet there are no detailed numbers of the actual causes of death for Switzerland. We re-evaluated the anonymous patient documentation for the years 1985-1994 using the officially registered (ICD-8) cases of maternal mortality. 45 deaths out of 812,825 births remained from the original 76 registered cases, which corresponds to a direct maternal mortality of 5.4/100,000 live births. The other cases had to be reclassified (indirect, late or pregnancy-related obstetric deaths). The majority of the deaths were caused by thromboembolism (15%). The mortality rate for cesarean section was 0.09 per thousand. The large number of reclassified cases shows that further teaching is necessary in the completion of the death certificate. In the attempt to reduce maternal mortality, one has to direct attention to the consequent prophylaxis of thromboembolism and induce a premature birth in cases of HELLP syndrome.

Adolescent↗

Disparity in maternal mortality in New York City.

OBJECTIVE: To describe maternal deaths and 10-year trends in maternal mortality in New York City. METHODS: All maternal deaths reported by surveillance of vital records (bearing ICD-9 codes 630-676) in New York City between 1989 and 1998 were studied. Were viewed death certificates and medical and autopsy records to collect age, race/ethnicity, country of birth, marital status, education level, residence at time of death, cause of death, and outcome of pregnancy. Trends analysis for maternal mortality rates was conducted, stratified by race. We conducted univariate and multivariate analysis to identify risk factors for maternal death. RESULTS: Two hundred forty-three maternal deaths were reported, for an average maternal mortality rate (MMR) of 18.4 deaths per 100,000 live births during this period. Although the overall MMR decreased from 17.4 in 1989 to 13.7 in 1998, the MMR varied widely during the period with a non significant trend (x2 for trend 2.09, p=.15). However, the individual MMR for whites and blacks decreased significantly from 1989 to 1998. The black-white MMR ratio remained high throughout this period and varied from 2.2 in 1994 to 14.8 in 1998. Women who were 35 years of age or older or non-Hispanic black had an increased risk of a pregnancy-related death. The leading causes of death were hemorrhage, embolism, and infection. CONCLUSION: Racial disparity in maternal mortality is a cause for concern in New York City. Further studies of maternal mortality are needed to develop interventions to reduce the MMR and the black-white gap.

Black or African American↗

Maternal mortality.

This case-maternal mortality-is one of a series of teaching cases in the Case-Based Series in Population-Oriented Prevention (C-POP). It has been developed for use in medical school and residency prevention curricula. The complete set of cases is presented in this supplement to the American Journal of Preventive Medicine. Maternal mortality remains an important public health concern, even though it is a rare event. This teaching module introduces five case reports of maternal death to provide a clinical lead into discussions about data sources such as death certificates and their limitations. The students will also calculate maternal mortality rates and explore racial disparities in this health indicator. Finally, the students will develop intervention strategies to identify and prevent maternal mortality.

Curriculum↗

Every death counts: measurement of maternal mortality via a census.

Methods for measuring maternal mortality at national and subnational levels in the developing world lag far behind the demand for estimates. We evaluated use of the national population census as a means of measuring maternal mortality by assessing data from five countries (Benin, Islamic Republic of Iran, Lao People's Democratic Republic, Madagascar, and Zimbabwe) which identified maternal deaths in their censuses. Standard demographic methods were used to evaluate the completeness of reporting of adult female deaths and births in the year prior to the census. The results from these exercises were used to adjust the data. In four countries, the numbers of adult female deaths needed to be increased and three countries required upward adjustment of the numbers of recent births. The number of maternal deaths was increased by the same factor as that used for adult female deaths on the assumption that the proportion of adult female deaths due to maternal causes was correct. Age patterns of the various maternal mortality indicators were plausible and consistent with external sources of data for other populations. Our data suggest that under favourable conditions a national census is a feasible and promising approach for the measurement of maternal mortality. Moreover, use of the census circumvents several of the weaknesses of methods currently in use. However, it should also be noted that careful evaluation of the data and adjustment, if necessary, are essential. The public health community is urged to encourage governments to learn from the experience of these five countries and to place maternal mortality estimation in the hands of statistical agencies.

Censuses↗

An analysis of anemia and pregnancy-related maternal mortality.

The relationship of anemia as a risk factor for maternal mortality was analyzed by using cross-sectional, longitudinal and case-control studies because randomized trials were not available for analysis. The following six methods of estimation of mortality risk were adopted: 1) the correlation of maternal mortality rates with maternal anemia prevalence derived from national statistics; 2) the proportion of maternal deaths attributable to anemia; 3) the proportion of anemic women who die; 4) population-attributable risk of maternal mortality due to anemia; 5) adolescence as a risk factor for anemia-related mortality; and 6) causes of anemia associated with maternal mortality. The average estimates for all-cause anemia attributable mortality (both direct and indirect) were 6.37, 7.26 and 3.0% for Africa, Asia and Latin America, respectively. Case fatality rates, mainly for hospital studies, varied from <1% to >50%. The relative risk of mortality associated with moderate anemia (hemoglobin 40-80 g/L) was 1.35 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.92-2.00] and for severe anemia (<47 g/L) was 3.51 (95% CI: 2.05-6.00). Population-attributable risk estimates can be defended on the basis of the strong association between severe anemia and maternal mortality but not for mild or moderate anemia. In holoendemic malarious areas with a 5% severe anemia prevalence (hemoglobin <70 g/L), it was estimated that in primigravidae, there would be 9 severe-malaria anemia-related deaths and 41 nonmalarial anemia-related deaths (mostly nutritional) per 100,000 live births. The iron deficiency component of these is unknown.

Acute Disease↗

Levels and causes of maternal mortality in southern India.

Most studies of maternal mortality are hospital based. However, in developing countries, where many such deaths take place in the home, hospital statistics do not reflect the true extent of maternal mortality. Furthermore, the socioeconomic and demographic factors and health behavior affecting maternal mortality are rarely known. A study conducted in 1986 in South India demonstrates a new approach to investigating maternal mortality that combines the collection of information from hospital and health-facility records, field surveys, and case-control studies. The findings from this study indicate that there were 7.98 maternal deaths per 1,000 live births. Approximately one-half of the deaths occurred in the home or on the way to the hospital. Maternal deaths accounted for 36 percent of mortality for women of reproductive age. Analysis reveals that many of these deaths were preventable and that significant differentials existed with regard to demographic, social, and behavioral factors between the cases of maternal deaths and the controls.

Adolescent↗

Viral hepatitis as a major cause of maternal mortality in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Causes of maternal mortality were investigated in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, from September 1981 to September 1983. Viral hepatitis ranked third among the leading causes of maternal mortality behind septic abortion and puerperal sepsis. There were 26 deaths from viral hepatitis during the 2-year study period for a hospital maternal mortality rate of 91.0 per 100,000 live births. Although 30% of women who died of all maternal causes received antenatal care in Addis Ababa, only 13% of women who died from viral hepatitis in our hospital study received antenatal care. Low socio-economic status (SES) has been shown to be associated with low antenatal care utilization and with an increased risk of protein malnutrition. Malnutrition is considered a predisposing factor for liver damage. Suggestions for reducing hepatitis transmission and maternal mortality through education, better hygiene, and improved sanitation are discussed.

Adolescent↗

How safe is motherhood in Nigeria?: the trend of maternal mortality in a tertiary health institution.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the magnitude and trend of maternal mortality in Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. DESIGN: Retrospective study. SETTING: Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. SUBJECT: All women dying in pregnancy, labour and puerperium. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Maternal mortality ratio, trend of maternal mortality, age, antenatal booking status, educational status, main causes of maternal death, factors contributing to maternal deaths. RESULTS: The maternal mortality ratio was 739/100,000 total deliveries and trend rose from 450/100,000 in 1990 to 1,060/100,000 total deliveries in 1994. About 33% of all maternal deaths occurred among teenagers. The risk factors for maternal deaths included adolescence, grand multiparity, illiteracy and non-utilisation of antenatal services. The main causes of maternal mortality were haemorrhage (28.1%), sepsis (21.3%) and eclampsia (15.7%). The contributions of complicated induced abortion and anaesthetic deaths in this study are worthy of mention. CONCLUSION: The maternal mortality ratio is unacceptably high in Jos University Teaching Hospital more particularly because of the rising trend. Socio-cultural and economic factors contributed immensely to the high maternal mortality in Jos. The objective of the World Health Organisation (WHO) to reduce maternal mortality by 50% by the year 2000 will not be achieved in this part of Nigeria. Nonetheless, improvement of the nation's economy coupled with a stable policy and provision of intrastructural facilities will assist to significantly reduce maternal mortality.

Adolescent↗

Delayed childbearing and maternal mortality.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the maternal age trend in pregnant women in Flanders, Belgium, and examine the impact of maternal age on maternal mortality. STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of a population based regional perinatal database during one decade. RESULTS: Between 1991 and 2000 a significant increase in maternal age was found, in primiparous as well as in multiparous women. The maternal mortality ratio was 5.8, and strongly related to maternal age, with a relative risk of 7.0 (95% CI: 3.0-16.2) from the age of 35 on, and of 30.0 (95% CI: 11.4-80.6) in women aged 40 years or beyond. CONCLUSIONS: These data call for further research and action to facilitate career and reproduction, and for special care for older pregnant women.

Adult↗