Severe Bleeding, High BP Cause Over 1 Lakh Pregnancy-Related Deaths Globally: WHO

New Delhi: A new study by the World Health Organization (WHO), published in The Lancet Global Health, highlights that severe bleeding (haemorrhage) and high blood pressure disorders, such as preeclampsia, are responsible for over one lakh pregnancy-related deaths worldwide.

In 2020, an estimated 287,000 maternal deaths occurred globally—equivalent to one death every two minutes. The study found that haemorrhage, primarily occurring during or after childbirth, accounted for nearly a third (27%) of maternal deaths, totaling approximately 80,000. Preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders contributed to another 16%, causing around 50,000 deaths.

Preeclampsia is a severe condition marked by high blood pressure, which, if left untreated, can lead to haemorrhage, strokes, organ failure, and seizures. Dr. Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO, emphasized that understanding maternal mortality causes is vital to addressing the crisis and improving survival rates. She also stressed the global inequity in maternal care, urging improved access to high-quality, evidence-based healthcare before, during, and after childbirth.

Beyond haemorrhage and hypertension, the study revealed that infectious and chronic conditions—including HIV/AIDS, malaria, anaemia, and diabetes—contribute to nearly 23% of maternal deaths. These diseases often remain undiagnosed or untreated until complications arise, further increasing risks for pregnant women.

Sepsis, infections, pulmonary embolism, and complications related to miscarriages, ectopic pregnancies, and unsafe abortions were also identified as direct causes of maternal mortality.

Alarmingly, around one-third of women, especially in low-income countries, do not receive essential postnatal care in the crucial first days after childbirth. The findings underscore the urgent need to strengthen maternal healthcare services, particularly antenatal care, to detect risks early and prevent severe complications.

The study calls for global efforts to enhance maternal health systems, ensuring timely interventions and improved medical care to prevent avoidable maternal deaths.

The study’s findings highlight the urgent need for strengthened maternal healthcare systems worldwide, particularly in low-income regions where access to quality care remains inadequate. Ensuring timely interventions, early detection of complications through antenatal services, and improved postnatal care can significantly reduce maternal deaths. WHO urges global health authorities to prioritize evidence-based maternal care, address disparities in healthcare access, and invest in preventive measures to safeguard the lives of mothers and their newborns.