The authors analyzed data for 1991 to 1997 from CDC’s ongoing Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System (PMSS). A pregnancy-related death was defined as the death of a woman during or within one year of pregnancy caused by pregnancy, its treatment or complications. Pregnancy-related mortality ratio (PRMR) was defined as the number of pregnancy-related deaths per 100,000 livebirths. The overall PRMR was 11.5; it varied from 10.4 in 1991 to 13.0 in 1997, although the change was not linear. The PRMR was 29.5 for black women, 7.9 for white women and 11.4 for women of other races. The ratio of the PRMR for black women compared with that for white women ranged from 3.3 to 4.3. The risk of mortality varied with maternal age; compared with women 15 to 19 years, who had the lowest PRMR (8.6), women <15 years had a PRMR of 15.6 and women >39 years a PRMR of 44.4. Embolism was the leading cause of death, followed by hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy. Forty-five percent of deaths occurred before delivery or within the first 24 hours post-partum; 85% occurred within 42 days of delivery - the traditional definition of maternal mortality. The excess risk of pregnancy-related death among black and older women has not decreased from the late 1980's. Investigation of biological, medical care, behavioral and system factors which contribute to these disparities is needed to effectively develop prevention strategies to reduce these gap.
Learning Objectives: At the completion of this session, the participant will be able to: (1) List the leading causes of pregnancy-related mortality in the United States (2) Describe the nature of the disparities in pregnancy-related mortality between black and white women and between younger and older women
Keywords: Mortality, Surveillance
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.