Maternal Mortality and COVID-19 Pandemic: Looking Beyond SARS CoV-2 Infection.

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic presented unprecedented challenges to healthcare systems globally.
• Maternal mortality remains a critical indicator of healthcare quality and accessibility.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on maternal mortality ratio (MMR).
• To identify etiological and modifiable factors contributing to maternal deaths during the pandemic.
• To evaluate key interventions implemented for maternal care during the study period.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective exploratory study design was employed.
• Maternal mortality data from April to November 2020 (study group) were compared with data from April to November 2019 (control group).
• Demographic characteristics, causes of death, care-seeking delays, and interventions were analyzed.

Main Results:

• The maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was significantly higher in the study group (792 vs. 296, p=0.0).
• Hemorrhage (20%) and COVID-19-related deaths (15%) were leading causes in the study group. A higher proportion of deaths occurred within 24 hours of admission (45% vs. 20%, p=0.04).
• Increased maternal age and illiteracy were more prevalent in the study group. Supplemental oxygen use was significantly higher in the study group (p=0.02).

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic led to a substantial increase in maternal mortality, linked to a decline in hospital delivery rates.
• Factors such as hemorrhage, COVID-19 infection, and delays in care contributed to increased mortality.
• Documenting lessons learned is essential for improving future pandemic preparedness and maternal health strategies.