Maternal Mortality in the United States: Are the High and Rising Rates Due to Changes in Obstetrical Factors, Maternal Medical Conditions, or Maternal Mortality Surveillance?

(Abstracted from Am J Obstet Gynecol 2024;230:440.e1–440.e13) High reported maternal death rates in the United States have garnered attention and skepticism, especially with reports indicating a near doubling of maternal mortality between 2018 and 2021. Some attribute this increase to changes in reporting criteria for maternal mortality developed in 2003 by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).