Most women who die in pregnancy in the UK are suffering from other medical conditions, researchers warn today.
Diseases such as asthma, infections and high blood pressure are all linked to risk of dying, according to the study.
The analysis involved some 135 women who died in a four year period ending in 2012. These were compared with 1,661 women who survived life-threatening complications.
Researchers named five other factors that also contribute to increased risk.
These include substance misuse, inadequate use of antenatal care and being of South Asian origin.
Together with previous pregnancy problems and blood pressure problems developed in pregnancy, these contribute to 70% of the increased risk, the researchers report in BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
The researchers say that having an existing illness – a medical co-morbidity – is responsible for 49% of the increased risk of dying.
Researcher Professor Marian Knight, of Oxford University, said: “The findings highlight the importance of optimal care for women with pre-existing medical problems in pregnancy. We found that uptake of antenatal care was poorer among women with medical co-morbidities which could increase adverse effects associated with these conditions.
“It is therefore vital that this group of women receive pre-conception counselling and extra support throughout their pregnancy.
“Further studies are needed to understand whether specific aspects of care could be improved to reduce maternal deaths among women in the UK, specifically amongst those women with one or more medical conditions.”
Journal editor John Thorp said the findings gave “fresh insight” into the factors behind deaths in pregnancy.
BJOG: An International Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 9 January 2015 [abstract]
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