Pregnancy-related mortality in New Jersey, 1975 to 1989.

OBJECTIVES

National data are thought to underestimate pregnancy-related mortality in the United States. A multisource surveillance system for pregnancy-associated deaths in New Jersey offers an opportunity to identify the magnitude of and the trends in pregnancy-related mortality at the state level.

METHODS

Data from all reported pregnancy-related deaths in the state from 1975 to 1989 were studied, and pregnancy mortality ratios were calculated.

RESULTS

The New Jersey pregnancy mortality ratio decreased from the late 1970s to the early 1980s but began to rise in the late 1980s. The pregnancy mortality ratio for non-Whites was 3.6 times that for Whites for the 15-year period. The causes of pregnancy-related deaths changed over the 15-year period, with direct obstetrical causes playing a decreasing role. AIDS has become the major cause of pregnancy-related mortality in New Jersey. Finally, approximately 44% of the pregnancy-related deaths were considered to be preventable by the physician or patient or both.

CONCLUSIONS

New efforts must be made to combat the recent rise in pregnancy-related deaths, with special attention to preventing deaths among non-White women.