Severe bleeding haemorrhage &mdash;, high blood pressure disorders like preeclampsia is responsible for over one lakh pregnancy-related deaths worldwide, according to a new study, released by the World Health Organization (WHO) on Saturday.&nbsp;
In 2020, there were an estimated 287,000 maternal deaths in total &ndash; equivalent to one death every two minutes. 
The study, published in the journal The Lancet Global Health, showed that haemorrhage &mdash; mostly occurring during or following childbirth &mdash; is responsible for nearly a third (27% or 80,000) of maternal mortality, with preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders contributing to an additional 16% or 50,000 deaths. 
Preeclampsia is a serious condition characterised by high blood pressure that can lead to haemorrhage, strokes, organ failures, and seizures if left untreated or treated too late. 
&ldquo;Understanding why pregnant women and mothers are dying is critical for tackling the world&rsquo;s lingering maternal mortality crisis and ensuring women have the best possible chances of surviving childbirth,&rdquo; said Dr Pascale Allotey, Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHO.&nbsp;
&ldquo;This is also a massive equity issue globally - women everywhere need high quality, evidence-based health care before, during, and after delivery, as well as efforts to prevent and treat other underlying conditions that jeopardise their health,&rdquo; Allotey said. 
Further, the study also reported other health conditions such as infectious and chronic diseases like HIV/AIDS, malaria, anaemias, and diabetes, underpinning nearly a quarter (23%) of pregnancy and childbirth-related mortality.&nbsp;
These conditions, which often go undetected or untreated until major complications occur, exacerbate risk and complicate pregnancies for millions of women around the world, said the researchers. 
Sepsis and infections; pulmonary embolism; complications from spontaneous and induced abortions &mdash; including miscarriage, ectopic pregnancies, and issues relating to unsafe abortions &mdash; were the other direct causes of maternal deaths.&nbsp;
Notably, around a third of women &mdash; primarily in lower-income countries &mdash; still do not receive essential postnatal checks in the first days after birth.&nbsp;
The findings highlight the need to strengthen key aspects of maternity care, including antenatal services that detect risks early in pregnancy and prevent severe complications.&nbsp;
&mdash;IANS

WHO study links maternal deaths to untreated complications

WHO: Haemorrhage, preeclampsia behind global maternal deaths

Severe Bleeding, High BP Cause 1L Maternal Deaths

WHO: Haemorrhage, preeclampsia behind global maternal deaths

March 8, 2025 | 17:53 IST