'Nuff Said

US Maternal Mortality Rate Increasing
The maternal mortality rate in the US is the highest it has been in decades, according to statistics released in August by the National Center for Health Statistics. The US maternal mortality rate was 13 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2004, compared to 12 in 2003, which was the first year the maternal death rate was more than 10 since 1977. The major direct causes of US pregnancy-related deaths are blood clots, hemorrhage, complications of medical conditions, and eclampsia and pre-eclampsia.

The report says the increase in maternal deaths "largely reflects" more states' use of a separate item on the death certificate indicating pregnancy status of the woman. A rise in the number of caesarean sections could be a factor in the increased maternal mortality rate, some experts said. Race and quality of care also factor into the maternal mortality rate. The maternal mortality rate among black women is at least three times higher than among white women. Three studies have shown that at least 40% of maternal deaths could have been prevented with improved quality of care. The rise in obesity might also be a factor. Finally, more women are giving birth in their late 30s and 40s, when risks of pregnancy complications are higher.

The report is available online at www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr55/nvsr55_19.pdf