Maternal Deaths Linked to Increased Infant Health Risks

Recent research highlights a concerning correlation between maternal deaths during or after pregnancy and heightened risks of infant mortality and hospitalization. This study, stemming from the Boston University School of Public Health, marks a significant contribution to understanding maternal health's profound impact on infant outcomes.

Despite the ongoing challenges related to maternal mortality in the United States, the implications of maternal death on infant health have not been extensively studied. The findings, published in the journal Obstetrics & Gynecology, reveal that infants face a significantly greater risk of adverse health outcomes when their mothers experience pregnancy-related deaths or severe illnesses.

Analyzing data from Massachusetts encompassing the years 1999 to 2021, researchers discovered that the infant mortality rate soared to over 14 times higher in scenarios where the mother died during pregnancy or in the postpartum phase compared to instances where maternal death did not occur. Moreover, when maternal deaths were preceded by severe maternal morbidity (SMM), the infant mortality rate escalated to an alarming 22 times greater than in cases where mothers survived the postpartum period.

Furthermore, infants who survived their mother's pregnancy-associated death were found to be 35% more likely to necessitate hospitalization within their first year, and those whose mothers faced health complications associated with SMM had a 10% increased likelihood of hospitalization. These statistics underscore the critical interconnectedness of maternal and infant health.

As many states are reducing or entirely eliminating maternal mortality review committees, the study's authors emphasize the urgent need to bolster support for women's health. By doing so, they argue, it is possible to improve outcomes not only for mothers but also for their children and extended families.

Dr. Eugene Declercq, the lead researcher, stresses the importance of recognizing the mutual health outcomes that exist between mothers and infants. Enhancing women's health is not only a worthy objective but is also vital for safeguarding infant health and, by extension, the well-being of families.

The study utilized comprehensive statewide data from Massachusetts hospital records to evaluate maternal and infant health outcomes across a population of over 1.6 million live births from 1999 to 2020. Of these births, 474 were associated with pregnancy-related maternal deaths, which were defined as deaths from any cause occurring during pregnancy or within one year postpartum.

In Massachusetts, the overall pregnancy-associated death ratio stood at 29.3 per 100,000 live births, while the infant mortality rate was recorded at 4.06 per 1,000 live births. Notably, the infant mortality rate spiked to 55 per 1,000 when maternal deaths occurred, and this figure rose to 87.9 per 1,000 when the mother had an SMM-related condition, which includes complications such as renal failure and high blood pressure.

While earlier studies have identified various risk factors associated with infant mortality, including maternal age, health insurance status, and substance use, the present study reveals a much stronger correlation between maternal death and SMM than any other risk factor considered.

During the study period, maternal deaths were predominantly linked to SMM, a history of opioid use, and having multiple children. Causes of infant mortality included congenital heart defects and injuries among premature infants, while full-term infants faced risks from birth asphyxia and congenital malformations.

Though Massachusetts boasted the lowest infant mortality rate in the United States during the study, the researchers caution that other states may be grappling with even more severe repercussions concerning infant health stemming from maternal morbidity and mortality.

Dr. Howard Cabral, a co-author of the study, pointed out that there are significant gaps in tracking and assisting mothers and their children regarding adverse health outcomes. Emphasizing the necessity of investing in maternal health, he argued that such investments are essential for effective public health policy and practice.