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Half of pregnancy-related death from obstetric hemorrhage preventable

Researchers found that many cases of pregnancy-related mortality from hemorrhage were potentially preventable, according to data presented at the Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

Kathryn De La Rosa, from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, and colleagues investigated modifiable factors and preventability, noting that "obstetric hemorrhage contributes significantly to the burden of maternal mortality."

Researchers examined records from pregnancy-related deaths from January 1998 to December 2011 for evidence of hemorrhage. They also noted final cause of death, demographic information, treatment course and any preventability factors.

De La Rosa and colleagues identified 46 cases of maternal death from hemorrhage.

Results showed that 50% of the cases were considered preventable, 35% were determined to be not preventable and 15% were undetermined.

In addition, they found that fresh frozen plasma transfusion was either not given or given less often than recommended in cases of blood transfusions.

"Half of pregnancy-related deaths from obstetric hemorrhage in Michigan were potentially preventable," De La Rosa and colleagues concluded. "Aggressive diagnosis and treatment of postpartum hemorrhage offers the best opportunity for prevention, and statewide educational programing to ensure proper administration of blood products is a necessary step to improving the quality of care and safety of childbirth." – by Chelsea Frajerman Pardes

Reference:

De La Rosa K, et al. Maternal mortality from hemorrhage in Michigan 1998-2011. Presented at: The Annual Clinical and Scientific Meeting of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists; May 14-17, 2016; Washington, D.C.

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.