Pregnancy-related deaths: 2009-2018

This article is on based on information presented at the Society for Maternal-Fetal Medicine’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting, which will be held from Jan. 25 to Jan. 30.

For more information and registration details, visit SMFM.org.

The Florida Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review (PAMR) Committee conducted its review of all pregnancy-related deaths (PRD) from 2009 to 2018. Established in 1996, its goal is to identify opportunities for prevention and make recommendations for care.

Washington Hill, MD, presented the findings at SMFM’s 2021 Virtual Annual Meeting on Friday.

The committee found that 408 pregnancy-related deaths occurred in Florida for 2,191,578 live births between 2009 and 2018. Among non-Hispanic Black women, the rate of pregnancy-related deaths decreased by 37% (p=0.002). The rate among Hispanic women also decreased by 42% (p=0.04).

From 2009 to 2018, six causes of death accounted for 77% of Florida’s pregnancy-related deaths: hemorrhage, infection, hypertensive disorders, cardiomyopathy, cardiovascular and thrombotic embolism.

According to the review, significant risk factors associated with pregnancy-related deaths were cesarean delivery (RR 3.3), age of 35 or older (RR 2.7), obesity (RR 2.6), no prenatal care during the first trimester (RR 2.4), being a non-Hispanic Black woman (RR 2.5), and having an education of high school or less (RR 1.4).

“The trend towards a reduced FLORIDA PRMR from 2009 through 2018 is distinct from national data over this time and may reflect combined activities of Florida PAMR, ACOG District XII, other professional organizations, and the grass roots efforts of FPQC,” said Hill.