Lack of Maternal Death Autopsy Data in Developing World

Article

In developing countries, the cause of maternal death is rarely investigated by autopsy, making it impossible to estimate the indirect causes and therefore make informed decisions on the best use of resources targeted at reducing maternal mortality, according to an editorial published in the February issue of PLoS Medicine.

<p>THURSDAY, Feb. 21 (HealthDay News) -- In developing countries, the cause of maternal death is rarely investigated by autopsy, making it impossible to estimate the indirect causes and therefore make informed decisions on the best use of resources targeted at reducing maternal mortality, according to an editorial published in the February issue of <i>PLoS Medicine</i>.</p><p>Sebastian Lucas, M.D., of King's College London School of Medicine in London, U.K., notes that maternal deaths in the United Kingdom are evaluated in detail, often by autopsy, and indirect causes of death are established twice as frequently as direct causes. However, in developing countries, which account for over 99 percent of the 500,000 maternal deaths that occur globally every year, most are attributed to direct causes such as postpartum hemorrhage, puerperal sepsis, hypertensive disorders and obstructed labor.</p><p>However, a recent study conducted in Mozambique established cause of 179 maternal deaths of which 78 percent were investigated by autopsy, and found that 13 percent of maternal deaths were due to HIV disease, and infectious disease in general accounted for half of all maternal deaths.</p><p>"We still need a truly representative multidisciplinary study of maternal death in poor countries, with and without HIV," the author writes. "Only then will there be a more informed debate on the critical question: where do you put the money if you want to reduce maternal death?"</p> <p><a href="http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.0050048 " target="_new">Editorial</a></p>

Copyright © 2008 <a href="http://www.physiciansbriefing.com/" target="_new">ScoutNews, LLC</a>. All rights reserved.

Newsletter

Access practical, evidence-based guidance to support better care for our youngest patients. Join our email list for the latest clinical updates.

Recent Videos
John Browning, MD, provides practical skincare reminders ahead of summer season
Contemporary Pediatrics: RX Review: Updates and Unmet Need in RSV thumbnail
Contemporary Pediatrics: RX Review: Updates and Unmet Need in RSV thumbnail
Contemporary Pediatrics: RX Review: Updates and Unmet Need in RSV thumbnail
Staphylococcus aureus risk in infants and neonatologist considerations with Aaron Milstone, MD
How fragrance plays a role in atopic dermatitis treatments, with John Browning, MD
Octavio Ramilo, MD, reacts to the FDA approval of clesrovimab for RSV prevention | Image Credit: St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
© 2025 MJH Life Sciences

All rights reserved.