Download This Paper
Preprints with The Lancet is part of SSRN´s First Look, a place where journals identify content of interest prior to publication. Authors have opted in at submission to The Lancet family of journals to post their preprints on Preprints with The Lancet. The usual SSRN checks and a Lancet-specific check for appropriateness and transparency have been applied. Preprints available here are not Lancet publications or necessarily under review with a Lancet journal. These preprints are early stage research papers that have not been peer-reviewed. The findings should not be used for clinical or public health decision making and should not be presented to a lay audience without highlighting that they are preliminary and have not been peer-reviewed. For more information on this collaboration, see the comments published in The Lancet about the trial period, and our decision to make this a permanent offering, or visit The Lancet´s FAQ page, and for any feedback please contact preprints@lancet.com.
Maternal Mortality Linked to COVID-19 in Latin America: Results From a Multicountry Collaborative Database of 447 Deaths
33 Pages Posted: 15 Feb 2022
More...Abstract
Background: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of maternal deaths associated with COVID-19 registered in a collaborative Latin-American multicountry database.
Methods: This was an observational study implemented from March 1st 2020 to November 29th 2021 in eight Latin American countries. Information was based on the Perinatal Information System from the Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health. We summarized categorical variables as frequencies and percentages and continuous variables into median with interquartile ranges.
Findings: We identified a total of 447 deaths. The median maternal age was 31 years. 86·4% of women were infected antepartum, with most of the cases (60·3%) detected in the third trimester of pregnancy. At first consultation and admission, the most frequent symptoms were dyspnea (73·0%), fever (69·0%), and cough (59·0%). Organ dysfunction was reported in 90·4% of women during admission. A total of 64·8% women was admitted to critical care for a median length of stay of eight days. In most of the cases the death occurred during puerperium, with a median of seven days between delivery and death. Preterm delivery was the most common perinatal complication (76·9%) and 59·9% were low birth weight.
Interpretation: This study describes the characteristics of maternal deaths in a comprehensive multicountry database showing existing barriers faced by pregnant women in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic to access intensive care services when required. Decision-makers should strengthen severity awareness, and referral strategies to avoid potential delays.
Funding Information: This work received a grant from the Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health (CLAP/WR), PAHO/WHO.
Declaration of Interests: None.
Ethics Approval Statement: This study was exempt from ethical approval by the PAHO Ethical Review Committee. The authors followed all relevant guidelines and ethical regulations for this study.
Keywords: COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2, pregnancy, puerperium, maternal mortality, maternal death
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation