Maternal Death from Sepsis: How Can We Do Better?

Many such deaths were characterized by inappropriate antibiotic use and delays in escalation of care.

Maternal mortality in the U.S. is higher than expected for a developed nation of its size and wealth. Despite advances in antibiotics and other therapeutics, sepsis remains an important contributor to the maternal death rate. Investigators conducted a case series including in-depth assessment of care rendered to 22 women with sepsis- and pregnancy-related deaths in the state of Michigan from 1999 to 2006.

Sepsis was the cause of death in 15% of pregnancy-related fatalities. While 25% of women who succumbed to sepsis were never febrile during their hospitalization, the majority (75%) displayed at least one of the abnormal vital signs captured by a proposed maternal early warning system (tachycardia, tachypnea, hypotension, and hypoxemia). In …

Reviewing Author

Allison Bryant, MD, MPH

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Board of Directors)

Allison Bryant, MD, MPH

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Board of Directors)

Maternal Death from Sepsis: How Can We Do Better?

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Reviewing Author