Preventability of Pregnancy-Related Deaths

RESULTS: Although overall, 40% of pregnancy-related deaths were potentially preventable, this varied by the cause of death. Almost all deaths due to hemorrhage and complications of chronic diseases were believed to be potentially preventable, whereas none of the deaths due to amniotic fluid embolus, microangiopathic hemolytic syndrome, and cerebrovascular accident were considered preventable. Improved quality of medical care was considered to be the most important factor in preventing these deaths. Among African-American women, 46% of deaths were potentially preventable, compared with 33% of the deaths among white women. CONCLUSION: Despite the decline in pregnancy-related mortality rates, almost one half of these deaths could potentially be prevented, mainly through improved quality of medical care. In-depth review of pregnancyrelated deaths can help determine strategies needed to continue making pregnancy safer. (Obstet Gynecol 2005;106:1228–34) LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III