Maternal Morbidity and Mortality

Maternal Morbidity

• 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)

Maternal Mortality

• 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

Neonatal Morbidity

• Defined as any health problem that occurs in the first 28 days of life
• Examples of neonatal morbidity:
  • Respiratory distress syndrome
  • Neonatal jaundice
  • Infections (e.g. sepsis, meningitis)
  • Hypothermia
  • Birth asphyxia

Neonatal Mortality

• Defined as the death of a newborn in the first 28 days of life
• Neonatal mortality rate (NMR): number of neonatal deaths per 1,000 live births
• Global NMR: approximately 18 deaths per 1,000 live births (2019)
• Leading causes of neonatal mortality:
  • Premature birth
  • Birth asphyxia
  • Infections
  • Respiratory distress syndrome
  • Congenital anomalies

Risk Factors for Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

• 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

Risk Factors for Maternal and Neonatal Morbidity and Mortality

• 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