[Maternal deaths due to infections in France 2013-2015]

Abstract

Over the 2013-2015 period, maternal mortality due to infections accounted for 10 % of direct maternal deaths and 13 % of indirect maternal deaths. Among the 21 deaths from infection, and compared to the last triennium, maternal deaths from genital infection doubled with 11 deaths during the 2013-2015 period. This included 6 cases of puerperal toxic shock syndrome, 4 of which due to Streptococcus A, and 5 cases of sepsis caused by intrauterine infection due to Gram-Negative Bacillus. Indirect maternal deaths due to infections from extragenital sources represented 10 deaths in this triennium, including four influenza infections and three infectious complications of an immunosuppressive state (uncontrolled HIV infection for two patients and CMV encephalitis during an immunosuppressive treatment for one patient). Of these 21 deaths by infectious causes, 6 direct maternal deaths and 9 indirect maternal deaths were considered preventable. The most common preventable factors were those related to medical management (13 times): diagnostic failure or delayed diagnosis leading to a delayed medical treatment, absence of influenza vaccination. The other contributory factors were related to the organization of healthcare (delayed transfer, lack of communication between clincians) as well as factors related to patient social vulnerability.

Keywords: France; Grippe; Influenza; Maternal death; Mortalité maternelle; Quality of care; Qualité des soins; Sepsis.