Maternal Mortality in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Emma R Lawrence; Thomas J Klein; Titus K Beyuo

doi:10.1016/j.ogc.2022.07.001

Maternal Mortality in Low and Middle-Income Countries

Obstet Gynecol Clin North Am. 2022 Dec;49(4):713-733. doi: 10.1016/j.ogc.2022.07.001.

Authors

Emma R Lawrence¹, Thomas J Klein², Titus K Beyuo³

Affiliations

¹ Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, L400 UH South, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Electronic address: emmarl@med.umich.edu.
² Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Michigan, L400 UH South, 1500 East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
³ Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Ghana Medical School, PO Box 4236, Accra, Ghana.

PMID: 36328676
DOI: 10.1016/j.ogc.2022.07.001

Abstract

Despite a 38% decrease in global maternal mortality during the last decade, rates remain unacceptably high with greater than 800 maternal deaths occurring each day. There exists significant regional variation among rates and causes of maternal mortality, and the vast majority occurs in low-income and middle-income countries. The leading causes of direct maternal mortality are hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, sepsis, complications of abortion, and thromboembolism. Eliminating preventable maternal mortality hinges on improving clinical management of these life-threatening obstetric conditions, as well as addressing the complex social and economic barriers that pregnant women face to access quality care.

Keywords: Eclampsia; LMIC; Maternal death; Maternal mortality; Maternal sepsis; Postpartum hemorrhage; Preeclampsia; Pregnancy complication.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Abortion, Spontaneous*
Developing Countries
Female
Humans
Maternal Mortality
Obstetric Labor Complications*
Pregnancy
Pregnancy Complications*