Maternal mortality by stroke in France 2013-2015

Between 2013 and 2015, 20 maternal deaths were associated with stroke. Stroke was the main cause of death in 16 cases (12 hemorrhagic strokes [75%],1 ischemic stroke and three cerebral thrombophlebitis). In the four other cases, the stroke was a complication of another pathology. The 16 deaths directly related to stroke account for 5.7% of all maternal deaths (maternal mortality ratio of 0.7/100,000 live births vs. 0.9/100,000 over the period 2010-2012, NS). Stroke occurred during pregnancy in 8 cases (50%). Three patients died without giving birth and the 5 others gave birth by emergency caesarean section. In the remaining eight cases (50%), stroke occurred between day 0 and day 54 during the post-partum period. The mean age was 35.5 years, with 9 women being more than 35 years old (56%). One or more factors of sub-optimal care were present in 28% of the cases, and 8% of deaths were considered possibly or probably preventable. The last four strokes were associated with another pathology (eclampsia [n = 2], hepatic cirrhosis [n = 1], possible complication of spinal anesthesia [n = 1]). (C) 2020 Published by Elsevier Masson SAS.