Main Causes of Maternal Death Globally Are Hemorrhage and Hypertensive Disorders, Says WHO Study

A new study spearheaded by WHO has found that hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders like preeclampsia are the “leading causes of maternal death globally,” responsible for about 80,000 and 50,000 fatalities respectively in 2020.

The study is “WHO’s first global update on the causes of maternal deaths since the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals were adopted in 2015. In addition to outlining the major direct obstetric causes, it shows that other health conditions, including both infectious and chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, anemias, and diabetes, underpin nearly a quarter (23%) of pregnancy and childbirth-related mortality.”

2020 is the last year for which this data is available. That year, there were an estimated 287,000 maternal deaths in total, “equivalent to one death every two minutes.” Hemorrhage is responsible for “nearly a third (27%) of maternal mortality, with preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders contributing to an additional 16%.” Other direct causes include “sepsis and infections; pulmonary embolism; complications from spontaneous and induced abortions - including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies, and issues relating to unsafe abortions – and anesthetic complications and injuries that occur during childbirth.”

The findings “highlight the need to strengthen key aspects of maternity care, including antenatal services that detect risks early in pregnancy and prevent severe complications; lifesaving obstetrics that can manage critical birth-related emergencies like hemorrhage or embolism, and postnatal care. Most maternal deaths occur during or shortly after childbirth, making this a critical window to save lives.”