Reducing Maternal Mortality: Room for Improvement?

French study shows hemorrhage remains the primary and often avoidable cause of maternal deaths.

Worldwide progress in reducing maternal mortality has been notable, but rising incidence of risk factors such as advanced maternal age, obesity, and cesarean delivery may hinder further improvement. Researchers analyzed death-certificate data in France from 1998 through 2007 to assess trends in risk factors for as well as causes and avoidability of maternal deaths that occurred during pregnancy or within 365 days postpartum (and related to pregnancy). During the 10-year study period, 660 maternal deaths were recorded. The overall maternal mortality ratio was nearly constant: 8.8 per 100,000 live births for 1998 through 2002 and 8.4 per 100,000 for 2003 through 2007.

Overall, the leading direct causes of death were hemorrhage (18%), amniotic …

Reviewing Author

Diane J. Angelini, EdD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, NEA-BC

Disclosures

RoyaltiesOB Triage: Emergency Care Protocols (Springer Publications)

Editorial boardsJournal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing

Diane J. Angelini, EdD, CNM, FACNM, FAAN, NEA-BC

Disclosures

RoyaltiesOB Triage: Emergency Care Protocols (Springer Publications)

Editorial boardsJournal of Perinatal and Neonatal Nursing

Reducing Maternal Mortality: Room for Improvement?

Topics

Reviewing Author