Maternal deaths from pre-eclampsia almost halved The 9th December marked the launch of “ Saving lives, improving mothers’ care: lessons learned to inform future maternity care from the 2009–2012 UK and Ireland Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths and Morbidity 2009 – 2012” Oxford National Perinatal Epidemiology Unit, University of Oxford. This report is the first on maternal mortality and morbidity since 2011 (which reported on the figures for the period 2006 – 2008) and a very welcome and much anticipated look at maternity care in the UK and Ireland. Overall the report shows that maternal deaths have decreased from 11 (per 100,000 giving birth) to 10. It also shows that deaths from pre eclampsia have fallen to the lowest level ever since 1952 to 3.8 per 100,000 women giving birth. This is just under half of the figures reported in the previous review. The report states that: ‘Deaths from pre-eclampsia and eclampsia…. Are now at the lowest ever recorded rate;… Changes to the management of eclampsia and pre eclampsia in UK followed several large randomised controlled trials, subsequent systematic reviews.. and the introduction of NICE guidance on Hypertension in Pregnancy in August 2010” Professor Cathy Nelson-Piercy spoke at the launch of the report on the lessons on medical conditions learned from the review. Speaking as a Trustee and former Chairman of APEC Cathy says: “APEC welcomes the news that deaths due to pre eclampsia have halved during the reporting period. This is good news for women and health care professionals across the UK. We hope that the reduction in maternal death is mirrored by a reduction in near misses and substandard care and will continue as a charity to campaign for this”. All at Action on Pre eclampsia are delighted that the death rate has fallen and congratulate all who have contributed to this advance. We are however acutely aware that maternal deaths are not the full story, the near misses, the almost tragedies and the trauma suffered by women and families continue. The review in 2016 will focus on pre eclampsia, eclampsia and HELLP and there will be more detailed information available then. Meanwhile APEC will continue to campaign for more research, improved methods of managing pre eclampsia and greater awareness of the disease amongst the public and health care professionals. The full report can be accessed at https://npeu.ox.ac.uk/mbrrace-uk/reports
Posted on: Thu, 11 Dec 2014 09:50:16 +0000
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