Maternal Morbidity and Mortality

Study Notes

Defined as any health problem that occurs during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum period
Can be acute or chronic, and may have short-term or long-term consequences
Examples of maternal morbidity:
- Gestational diabetes
- Hypertension
- Preeclampsia
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Infections (e.g. endometritis, sepsis)
- Mental health conditions (e.g. depression, anxiety)

Defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum period
Maternal mortality ratio (MMR): number of maternal deaths per 100,000 live births
Global MMR: approximately 211 deaths per 100,000 live births (2017)
Leading causes of maternal mortality:
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Hypertension
- Infections
- Obstructed labor
- Abortion-related complications

Socioeconomic factors:
- Poverty
- Low education level
- Limited access to healthcare
Biological factors:
- Young age (<18 years)
- Advanced age (>35 years)
- Multiple pregnancy
- Chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension)
Healthcare-related factors:
- Delayed or inadequate prenatal care
- Inadequate medical attention during childbirth
- Limited access to emergency obstetric care

Maternal morbidity refers to any health problem that occurs during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum period
It can be acute or chronic, with short-term or long-term consequences
Examples include gestational diabetes, hypertension, preeclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, infections, and mental health conditions

Maternal mortality is defined as the death of a woman during pregnancy, childbirth, or postpartum period
Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is approximately 211 deaths per 100,000 live births globally (2017)
Leading causes of maternal mortality include:
- Postpartum hemorrhage
- Hypertension
- Infections
- Obstructed labor
- Abortion-related complications

Neonatal morbidity refers to any health problem that occurs in the first 28 days of life
Examples include respiratory distress syndrome, neonatal jaundice, infections, hypothermia, and birth asphyxia

Neonatal mortality refers to the death of a newborn in the first 28 days of life
Neonatal mortality rate (NMR) is approximately 18 deaths per 1,000 live births globally (2019)
Leading causes of neonatal mortality include:
- Premature birth
- Birth asphyxia
- Infections
- Respiratory distress syndrome
- Congenital anomalies

Socioeconomic factors:
- Poverty increases the risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality
- Low education level is a risk factor
- Limited access to healthcare increases the risk of maternal and neonatal morbidity and mortality
Biological factors:
- Young age (under 35 years) is a risk factor
- Multiple pregnancy increases the risk
- Chronic medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, hypertension) increase the risk
Healthcare-related factors:
- Delayed or inadequate prenatal care increases the risk
- Inadequate medical attention during childbirth increases the risk
- Limited access to emergency obstetric care increases the risk