Purpose: To identify risk factors for maternal mortality by comparing characteristics of women who died from pregnancy-associated causes to women who had live births and did not die, and to describe changes in risk factors over time. Methods: Death certificates for women of reproductive age from 1990-1999 were linked to birth and fetal death certificates to identify all maternal deaths occurring during pregnancy or within one year of termination. Cause of death was categorized as either medical or social (i.e., primarily related to substance abuse, homicide, suicide, or unintentional violence). In addition to socio-demographic characteristics of maternal deaths versus non-deaths, we will present longitudinal trends in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR). We will consider shifts in causes of death and periods of risk (i.e., during pregnancy, the initial 42-day postpartum period, or from 43 days to one year postpartum) over the past decade. Preliminary findings: From 1990 to 1999 there were 232 pregnancy-associated deaths in MA. The overall MMR was 27.2 per 100,000 live births, varying from 18.0 to 31.8 over 10 years. The MMR for social causes of death was 9.4, and the MMR for medical causes was 17.2. Based on initial data, women who were non-white, poor, and younger than 25 or older than 39 were over-represented among maternal deaths compared to women who had live births and did not die. Conclusions: Identification of risk factors for pregnancy-associated death in the US will inform current policies and practices and contribute to safe motherhood campaigns and mortality prevention efforts.
Learning Objectives: At the completion of this session participants will be able to (1) identify risk factors for pregnancy-associated deaths in MA from 1990 to 1999; and (2) discuss trends over time in socio-demographic characteristics, causes of death, and periods of risk for pregnancy-associated deaths.
Keywords: Maternal Health, Mortality
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.