Pregnancy-related mortality ratio 17 deaths per 100,000

(HealthDay)—The pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 17 deaths per 100,000 live births from 2011 to 2013, and the distribution of causes of death categories remained stable from 2006 to 2010, according to a study published in the August issue of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Andreea A. Creanga, M.D., Ph.D., from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta, and colleagues conducted an observational study using population-based data to calculate pregnancy-related mortality ratios. Ten cause-of-death categories were explored by pregnancy outcome during 2011 to 2013.

The researchers found that the pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 17.0 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2011 to 2013. Increases were seen in pregnancy-related mortality ratios with maternal age; racial-ethnic disparities persisted, with a 3.4-times higher mortality ratio for non-Hispanic black versus non-Hispanic white women. The distribution of cause-of-death categories did not change considerably compared with the most recent report of Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System data for 2006 to 2010; however, compared with reports before 2006 to 2010, there were decrease in hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, and anesthesia complications, while increases were seen in cardiovascular and other medical conditions.

"The pregnancy-related mortality ratio and the distribution of the main causes of pregnancy-related mortality have been relatively stable in recent years," the authors write.

Copyright © 2017 HealthDay. All rights reserved.