Maternal mortality and COVID-19

Abstract

Objective

The aim of this study was to collect and analyze data from different sources to have a general overview of COVID-19-related maternal deaths in Brazil, as well as to compare data with worldwide reports.

Study design

We systematically searched data about COVID-19 maternal deaths from the Brazilian Ministry of Health surveillance system, State Departments of Health epidemiological reports, and media coverage. Data about timing of symptom onset and death (pregnancy or postpartum), gestational age, mode of birth, maternal age, comorbidities and/or risk factors, date of death, and place of death were retrieved when available.

Results

We identified 20 COVID-19-related maternal deaths, age range 20–43 years. Symptoms onset was reported as on pregnancy for 12 cases, postpartum for 3 cases, and during the cesarean section for 1 case (missing data for 4). In 16 cases, death occurred in the postpartum period. At least one comorbidity or risk factor was present in 11 cases (missing data for 4). Asthma was the most common risk factor (5/11). Ten cases occurred in the Northeast region, and nine cases occurred in the Southeast region (5 of them in São Paulo, the first epicenter of COVID-19 in the country).

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the largest available series of maternal deaths due to COVID-19. Barriers to access healthcare, differences in pandemic containment measures in the country and high prevalence of concomitant risk factors for COVID-19 severe disease may play a role in the observed disparity compared to worldwide reports on maternal outcomes.

Keywords:

• COVID-19
• coronavirus
• severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2
• pregnancy
• postpartum period
• maternal mortality

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Table 1. COVID-19-related maternal deaths in Brazil until April 10, 2020.

Acknowledgement

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.