Maternal Mortality & Morbidity

Question 1

Define maternal death

Answer 1

Death of a mother 42 days after termination or delivery. Include Ectopic, miscarriage, terminations and delivery. does not include accidents

Question 2

What is late maternal death

Answer 2

Death occuring between 42 days & a year after pregnancy or childbirth

Question 3

What is are the 3 categories of maternal death?

Answer 3

Direct, indirect & coincidental

Question 4

What is direct maternal death? list examples

Answer 4

direct obstetric complications due to the pregnant state (pregnancy, labour or puerperium).

examples:

• Thrombosis, VTE, DVT, PE
• Pre-eclampsia or eclampsia
• Genital tract Sepsis
• Amniotic fluid embolise
• Haemorrhage
• Psych - suicide

Question 5

What is indirect maternal death. List examples

Answer 5

Death from pre-existing disease or a disease developed during pregnancy.

Example:

• CVS disease
• Neurological - epilepsy
• Malignancies
• DM, GDM
• HIV
• Kidney transplant failure (because cannot take immunosuppressants)

Question 6

Formula for maternal mortality rate

Answer 6

(No. of direct + indirect deaths) / 100,000 births (still + live births)

Yes, still births from 24 weeks GA or > 500g
Do not count coincidental death

Question 7

Ireland MMR in 2016

Answer 7

6.2 per 100,000.

67% from indirect causes
33% from direct causes

Question 8

What is coincidental maternal death

Answer 8

Trauma, domestic violence, recreational drug accidents, homicides