Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 10, 2026

Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Maternal Deaths Due to Suicide, Accidental Poisoning and Undetermined Intent Within 5 Years Following Childbirth: A
Louise Makarious1,2, Ju Lee Oei2,3, Andrew Page4
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Westmead Hospital, Westmead, New South Wales, Australia.
Objectives:
Investigate the incidence of maternal deaths by suicide, accidental poisoning and undetermined intent within 5 years following childbirth.
Design:
Linked population-level data.
Setting:
New South Wales, Australia.
Population:
All women who gave birth from 2002 to 2020.
Methods:
Sociodemographic characteristics, diagnostic and healthcare use were compared between deceased mothers and mothers alive for 5 years following childbirth. Relative Risk Ratios (RRRs) were examined using multinomial logistic regression.
Main Outcome Measures:
Deaths by suicide, undetermined intent and accidental poisoning.
Results:
Five-year death rates per 100 000 live births were 12.87 for suicide, 10.49 for accidental poisoning, 2.30 for undetermined intent and 25.66 for the three causes and remained stable over the study period. Deaths due to the abovementioned causes accounted for 21.75% of all deaths within 5 years after live birth, slightly increased as a proportion of all deaths compared to the early period, between 2002 and 2009. Compared to mothers who were alive 5 years postpartum, mothers who died by suicide, accidental poisoning and undetermined intent were more likely to be younger (age ≤ 24) (25% vs. 9%), Australian born (80+% vs. 65%), and identify as First Nations background (12+% vs. 2.3%). The RRRs were significantly higher for alcohol (ranged 15-27), substance use (ranged 12-69), mental health (ranged 9.5-14) and self-harm (ranged 20-34), related hospitalisations among mothers who died by suicide, accidental poisoning and undetermined intent compared to mothers alive for 5 years.
Conclusion:
Suicide, undetermined intent and accidental poisoning accounted for more than one in every five maternal deaths within 5 years postpartum.
More Related Videos
10:55A Piglet Perinatal Asphyxia Model to Study Cardiac Injury and Hemodynamics after Cardiac Arrest, Resuscitation, and the Return of Spontaneous Circulation
Published on: January 13, 2023
07:02Auricular Point Acupressure Therapy: A Safe and Effective Treatment for Postsurgical Abortion Recovery
Published on: February 3, 2026
Related Concept Videos
Regression Toward the Mean
Types of Toxins
Air pollutants, primarily gases, pose significant threats to respiratory health, leading to conditions like hypoxia, lung cancer, and in extreme cases, death.
Environmental pollutants like...
Drug Toxicity: Risk factors
Pharmaceutical Poisoning: Potential Scenarios
Pathophysiology of Diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is characterized by autoimmune-mediated destruction of pancreatic β cells, with environmental factors potentially triggering this process in genetically susceptible individuals. Despite many not having a family history, certain genes increase susceptibility, suggesting a...
Development of the Oral Microbiota