Dominican Republic: Maternal Mortality Up 16 Percent in 2023

The Dominican Republic recorded 208 maternal deaths last year. These deaths are related to pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period. This placed the maternal mortality ratio of the Dominican Republic at 127 deaths per 100,000 live births. The numbers reflect a 16% increase compared to the 2022 rate. 

These tragic numbers do not tell us the complete story and thus must be contextualized. Out of these 208 deaths, 146 were Dominican mothers. This constitutes almost 70% of maternal deaths in the country. The remaining percentage is composed of mothers from Haiti.

The Dominican Republic releases a weekly Epidemiological Bulletin to update on the status of mandatory events. These events include a significant amount of population health matters and other public health issues.

According to the Ministry of Public Health’s Epidemiology Directorate, the average age of maternal deaths was 28 years. The overall ages ranged from 16 to 52 years. But what were the causes of these maternal deaths? Through a report, the Directorate found that three-quarters of these deaths resulted from direct obstetric causes. These causes can include diseases such as edema, proteinuria, and hypertensive disorders. 

Sepsis is the underlying cause in 36% of cases. Other puerperal infections account for 23%, and additional complications account for 17% of maternal deaths. Puerperal sepsis showed an increase of 198% in comparison to 2022. 

What were some other causes of death?

Indirect obstetric causes claimed 39 lives. The compilations derived from these causes include, first and foremost, respiratory system diseases that complicate pregnancy, childbirth, and the postpartum period. However, 11 deaths lacked a cause. These are some of the main causes and diseases behind the dramatic increase in the Dominican Republic’s rising maternal mortality.

What constitutes maternal mortality?

The World Health Organization (WHO) characterizes maternal mortality (MM) as the demise of a woman that occurs during her pregnancy or within 42 days following the end of her pregnancy, whether it be through childbirth or termination. This definition applies irrespective of the length or site of the pregnancy.

This happens because of any reason associated with pregnancy or its aggravation due to its handling, including accidental or incidental reasons. These reasons could stem from obstetric complications during pregnancy, childbirth, or the postpartum period, or from shortcomings in the care process (direct causes).

Alternatively, they could be due to conditions that existed before pregnancy or illnesses that occur during pregnancy and are worsened by the physiological impacts of pregnancy (indirect causes).