Maternal Mortality in the United States - Why Is It Important and What Are We Doing About It?

Following dramatic reductions between the early 1900s and the early 1980s, the maternal mortality ratio began to rise, reaching a peak of almost 17 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Although this number pales in comparison with that found in sub-Saharan Africa and India, the troubling rise in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Seminars in perinatology 2012-02, Vol.36 (1), p.14-18
Main Author: King, Jeffrey C., MD, FACOG
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
ascertainment
Cesarean Section, Repeat - adverse effects
Cesarean Section, Repeat - mortality
Comorbidity
etiology
Female
Humans
interventions
Maternal Age
maternal death
Maternal Mortality - trends
Medical Audit
Neonatal and Perinatal Medicine
Obesity - mortality
Obesity - prevention & control
Pregnancy
Risk Factors
surveillance
United States
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Summary:Following dramatic reductions between the early 1900s and the early 1980s, the maternal mortality ratio began to rise, reaching a peak of almost 17 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births. Although this number pales in comparison with that found in sub-Saharan Africa and India, the troubling rise in the United States is a surrogate for medical care in general and obstetrical care in particular. Both Healthy People 2010 and the United Nations Millennium Goals were aimed at reducing maternal mortality worldwide. This presentation will review the trends in maternal mortality along with the efforts some jurisdictions, along with the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, have taken to address this obstetrical tragedy. Although maternal death is the tip of the iceberg, thousands more women suffer a “near-miss” but survive to deal with lifelong medical consequences. Finally, you will be reminded that each maternal death is not just an isolated medical event but rather it permanently affects an ever-enlarging circle of society.
ISSN:0146-0005
1558-075X
DOI:10.1053/j.semperi.2011.09.004