Severe bleeding, high BP account for over 1 lakh pregnancy-related deaths: WHO

Severe bleeding haemorrhage high blood pressure disorders like preeclampsia is responsible for over one lakh pregnancyrelated deaths worldwide according to a new study released by the World Health Organization WHO on SaturdayIn 2020 there were an estimated 287000 maternal deaths in total ndash equivalent to one death every two minutesThe study published in the journal The Lancet Global Health showed that haemorrhage mostly occurring during or following childbirth is responsible for nearly a third 27 per cent or 80000 of maternal mortality with preeclampsia and other hypertensive disorders contributing to an additional 16 per cent or 50000 deathsPreeclampsia 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 lateldquoUnderstanding why pregnant women and mothers are dying is critical for tackling the worldrsquos lingering maternal mortality crisis and ensuring women have the best possible chances of surviving childbirthrdquo said Dr Pascale Allotey Director of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research at WHOldquoThis is also a massive equity issue globally women everywhere need high quality evidencebased health care before during and after delivery as well as efforts to prevent and treat other underlying conditions that jeopardise their healthrdquo Allotey saidFurther the study also reported other health conditions such as infectious and chronic diseases like HIVAIDS malaria anaemias and diabetes underpinning nearly a quarter 23 per cent of pregnancy and childbirthrelated mortalityThese 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 researchersSepsis and infections pulmonary embolism complications from spontaneous and induced abortions including miscarriage ectopic pregnancies and issues relating to unsafe abortions were the other direct causes of maternal deathsNotably around a third of women primarily in lowerincome countries still do not receive essential postnatal checks in the first days after birthThe findings highlight the need to strengthen key aspects of maternity care including antenatal services that detect risks early in pregnancy and prevent severe complicationsThis story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed agencies Midday accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability trustworthiness reliability and data of the text Midday managementmiddaycom reserves the sole right to alter delete or remove without notice the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever