Maternal admissions to intensive care units in France: Trends in rates, causes and severity from 2010 to 2014

Maternal intensive care unit admission is an indicator of severe maternal morbidity. The objective of this study was to estimate rates of maternal intensive care unit admission during or following pregnancy in France, and to describe the characteristics of women concerned, the severity of their condition, associated diagnoses, regional disparities, and temporal trends between 2010 and 2014.

Women hospitalised in France in intensive care units during pregnancy or up to 42 days after pregnancy between January 2010 and December 2014 were identified using the national hospital discharge database (PMSI-MCO). Trends in incidence rates were quantified using percentages of average annual variation based on a Poisson regression model.

In total, 16,011 women were admitted to intensive care units, representing an overall incidence of 3.97‰ deliveries. This number decreased significantly by 1.7% on average per year. For women who gave birth (60.5% by C-section), 62.5% of admissions occurred during their hospitalisation for delivery. The SAPS II score, an indicator of severity, significantly increased from 18.4 in 2010 to 21.5 in 2014. Obstetrical haemorrhage (39.8%) and hypertensive complications during pregnancy (24.8%) were the most common reasons for admission. In mainland France, the Ile-de-France (i.e., greater Paris) region had the highest rates of intensive care units admission (5.05‰) while the Pays-de-la-Loire region had the lowest (2.69‰).

The rate of maternal intensive care unit admission decreased from 2010 to 2014 in France, with a concomitant increase in case severity. In-depth studies are needed to understand the territorial disparities identified.