Saving Mothers' Lives: Reviewing maternal deaths to make motherhood safer: 2006-2008. The Eighth Report of the Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths in the United Kingdom

Roch Cantwell, Thomas Clutton-Brock, Griselda Cooper, Andrew Dawson, James Drife, Debbie Garrod, Ann Harper, Diana Hulbert, Sebastian Lucas, John McClure, Harry Millward-Sadler, James Neilson, Catherine Nelson-Piercy, Jane Norman, Colm O'Herlihy, Margaret Oates, Judy Shakespeare, Michael de Swiet, Catherine Williamson, Valerie BealeMarian Knight, Christopher Lennox, Alison Miller, Dharmishta Parmar, Jane Rogers, Anna Springett

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    1493 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    In the triennium 2006-2008, 261 women in the UK died directly or indirectly related to pregnancy. The overall maternal mortality rate was 11.39 per 100,000 maternities. Direct deaths decreased from 6.24 per 100,000 maternities in 2003-2005 to 4.67 per 100,000 maternities in 2006–2008 (p = 0.02). This decline is predominantly due to the reduction in deaths from thromboembolism and, to a lesser extent, haemorrhage. For the first time there has been a reduction in the inequalities gap, with a significant decrease in maternal mortality rates among those living in the most deprived areas and those in the lowest socio-economic group. Despite a decline in the overall UK maternal mortality rate, there has been an increase in deaths related to genital tract sepsis, particularly from community acquired Group A streptococcal disease. The mortality rate related to sepsis increased from 0.85 deaths per 100,000 maternities in 2003-2005 to 1.13 deaths in 2006-2008, and sepsis is now the most common cause of Direct maternal death. Cardiac disease is the most common cause of Indirect death; the Indirect maternal mortality rate has not changed significantly since 2003-2005. This Confidential Enquiry identified substandard care in 70% of Direct deaths and 55% of Indirect deaths. Many of the identified avoidable factors remain the same as those identified in previous Enquiries. Recommendations for improving care have been developed and are highlighted in this report. Implementing the Top ten recommendations should be prioritised in order to ensure the overall UK maternal mortality rate continues to decline.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)1-203
    Number of pages203
    JournalBJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics & Gynaecology
    Volume118 Suppl 1
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Mar 2011

    Keywords

    • Counseling
    • Female
    • Great Britain
    • Health Status
    • Humans
    • Maternal Health Services
    • Maternal Mortality
    • Patient Care Team
    • Practice Guidelines as Topic
    • Preconception Care
    • Pregnancy
    • Pregnancy Complications
    • Pregnancy Outcome
    • Prenatal Care
    • Quality of Health Care
    • Referral and Consultation

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