Relationship between reproductive medicine for women with severe complications and maternal death in Japan

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the influence of reproductive medicine in maternal death cases in Japan.

Methods: This retrospective study investigated the incidence of maternal deaths related to reproductive medicine in Japan from 2013 to 2015, and the relationship between fertility treatment and maternal death.

Results: Fifteen out of 134 women (11.2%) involved in this study who underwent treatment for infertility died. Four experienced pregnancy with severe maternal complications (26.6%). The complications were active systemic lupus erythematosus, exacerbated depression, uncontrolled arrhythmia and uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus. At least three of these four died due to these complications.

Conclusion: The maternal death rate of women who have undergone fertility treatment is similar to the birth rate due to assisted reproductive technology in Japan. Some maternal death cases involve severe uncontrolled complications. Therefore, medical histories should be evaluated before fertility treatment.

Keywords: fertility treatment; maternal death; severe complication.