Vancouver, Canada – Maternal mortality rates have shown a decrease and stability through the identification of maternal deaths by requiring the mention of pregnancy among multiple causes of death, highlights a recent study published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology. Dr. K.S. Joseph and colleagues from the University of British Columbia conducted a comprehensive analysis of maternal deaths in the United States spanning from 1999 to 2021.
The study revealed a 144 percent increase in maternal deaths per the National Vital Statistics System methodology, with rates rising from 9.65 to 23.6 per 100,000 live births over the years from 1999 to 2021. This increase was observed across all race and ethnicity groups. Direct obstetrical deaths showed an uptick from 8.41 to 14.1 per 100,000 live births during the same timeframe, while indirect obstetrical deaths also rose from 1.24 to 9.41 per 100,000 live births. Notably, in 2018 to 2021, 38 percent of direct obstetrical deaths and 87 percent of indirect obstetrical deaths were identified due to a positive pregnancy checkbox.
The alternative formulation utilized in this study indicated a maternal mortality rate of 10.2 and 10.4 per 100,000 live births in the years 1999 to 2002 and 2018 to 2021, respectively. Interestingly, there was a decrease in deaths attributed to direct obstetrical causes from 7.05 to 5.82 per 100,000 live births when the alternative formulation was applied, underscoring the significance of accurate identification methods in tracking maternal mortality rates effectively.
Coauthor Dr. Justin S. Brandt from the NYU Grossman School of Medicine in New York City emphasized the importance of employing an approach that avoids the misclassification of maternal deaths to provide a more accurate representation of maternal mortality rates in the United States. This nuanced method of identification, which does not rely solely on the pregnancy checkbox, has helped dispel misconceptions surrounding the perceived rise in maternal mortality rates.
The findings of this study shed light on the impact of improved identification practices in capturing comprehensive data on maternal mortality, ultimately contributing to a better understanding of maternal health trends over time. By implementing more precise methodologies, healthcare professionals and policymakers can work towards addressing the underlying factors contributing to maternal mortality and enhancing maternal healthcare services nationwide.