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Maternal mortality linked to COVID-19 in Latin America: Results from a multi-country collaborative database of 447 deaths
Author(s)
University of Cartagena
Ángel Paternina‐Caicedo
Universidad del Sinú
Claudio Sosa
Bremen De Mucio
José Rojas‐Suarez
University of Cartagena
Lale Say
World Health Organization
Jenny A. Cresswell
World Health Organization
Luis Andrés de Francisco
World Health Organization Regional Office for the Americas
Suzanne Jacob Serruya
Diana Carolina Franco Pulido Lic
Luis Fabian Yáñez Urbina
Erika Saint Hilaire
César V. Munayco
Ministry of Health
Fabiola Gil
Ministry of Health
Erick Rousselin
Leonardo Contreras
World Health Organization Regional Office for the Americas
Allan Stefan
Alvinzy Velásquez Becerra
Evelyn Degraff
World Health Organization Regional Office for the Americas
Franco Espada
Ministerio de Salud
Víctor Conde
World Health Organization Regional Office for the Americas
Gustavo Mery
Pan American Health Organization (Cuba)
Víctor Hugo Álvarez Castaño
Ministry of Health and Social Protection
Aura Liliana Torres Umbarila
Ministry of Health and Social Protection
Ivy Lorena Talavera Romero
Yeimy Catherine Rodríguez Alfonso
Raquel Lovato Silva
Jakeline Calle
Ministerio de Salud Pública y Bienestar Social
Cynthia Marlene Díaz -Viscensini
Vicente Nicolas Bataglia Frutos
Universidad Nacional de Asunción
Elodia Vysokolán Laguardia
Haydeé Padilla
Alvaro Ciganda
Mercedes Colomar
Date Issued
6 de mayo de 2022
Type
Article
Volume
12
Series/Report No.
The Lancet Regional Health - Americas
Start Page
100269
End Page
100269
ISSN
2667-193X
Abstract
Background: This study aimed to describe the clinical characteristics of maternal deaths associated with COVID-19 registered in a collaborative Latin-American multi-country 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. The most frequent symptoms at first consultation and admission 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 were admitted to critical care for a median length of eight days. In most cases, the death occurred during the 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 multi-country database in Latin America during the COVID-19 pandemic. Barriers faced by Latin American pregnant women to access intensive care services when required were also revealed. Decision-makers should strengthen severity awareness, and referral strategies to avoid potential delays. Funding: Latin American Center for Perinatology, Women and Reproductive Health.
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