Maternal Mortality Across a Multi-Hospital Health System in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study (2016-2024).
- 1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ministry of the National Guard - Health Affairs, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- 2Quality and Safety Department, Women's Health Hospital, King Abdulaziz Medical City, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- 3Department of Physiology, General Medicine Practice, Batterjee Medical College, Aseer, Saudi Arabia.
Abstract
Background
Maternal mortality remains a pressing global health challenge and is a vital indicator of healthcare quality. Despite improvements in Saudi Arabia, preventable maternal fatalities continue to occur, with insufficient research on regional disparities.Objective
This study seeks to assess the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and its causes across five hospitals within the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs in Saudi Arabia and evaluate it is main causes,thereby addressing a gap in maternal mortality data in the Gulf region.Methods
This retrospective, multicenter, descriptive study included all maternal deaths occurring during pregnancy or within 42 days postpartum between 2016 and 2024 across five National Guard hospitals in Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Al-Ahsa, and Dammam. Data were extracted from hospital records and analyzed descriptively using SPSS version 28.Results
Eighteen maternal deaths were identified over the nine-year period, yielding an overall MMR of 6.2 per 100,000 live births (mean age at death 29.8 ± 6.3 years). MMR varied considerably by year, from 0.00/100,000 in 2017 to 37.5/100,000 in 2020. Pregnancy-related complications accounted for 50% of deaths (9/18), most commonly venous thromboembolism (66.7%). Non-obstetric causes included COVID-19 (16.7%), unknown cause (16.7%), brain tumor (5.6%), and myocarditis (5.6%). Most deaths occurred in women with parity 1-3 (61.1%), split evenly between vaginal and caesarean delivery (50% each). Geographic variation was marked: Riyadh recorded deaths in most years with a peak in 2020; Dammam and Al-Ahsa each showed sporadic extreme spikes; Jeddah showed intermittent elevations; no deaths occurred in Madinah.Conclusion
The overall MMR at these hospitals is comparatively low to global figures, significant variations across different cities and years, alongside a notable number of deaths with unspecified causes, underscore the need for standardized mortality reviews, autopsy confirmations for suspected embolic deaths, and continuous targeted monitoring.
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BibTeX
@article{saeid2026maternal,
title = {{Maternal Mortality Across a Multi-Hospital Health System in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study (2016-2024).}},
author = {Nuha Saeid and Roaa Alshabanah and Hadeel S Aldraihem and Humeda Suekit Ahmed and Azza Madkhali},
journal = {International journal of women's health},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.2147/ijwh.s646926},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968912},
note = {CC BY-NC},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Maternal Mortality Across a Multi-Hospital Health System in Saudi Arabia: A Retrospective Study (2016-2024).
AU - Nuha Saeid
AU - Roaa Alshabanah
AU - Hadeel S Aldraihem
AU - Humeda Suekit Ahmed
AU - Azza Madkhali
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/28
JO - International journal of women's health
DO - 10.2147/ijwh.s646926
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42968912
AB - Background Maternal mortality remains a pressing global health challenge and is a vital indicator of healthcare quality. Despite improvements in Saudi Arabia, preventable maternal fatalities continue to occur, with insufficient research on regional disparities.Objective This study seeks to assess the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) and its causes across five hospitals within the Ministry of National Guard Health Affairs in Saudi Arabia and evaluate it is main causes,thereby addressing a gap in maternal mortality data in the Gulf region.Methods This retrospective, multicenter, descriptive study included all maternal deaths occurring during pregnancy or within 42 days postpartum between 2016 and 2024 across five National Guard hospitals in Riyadh, Jeddah, Madinah, Al-Ahsa, and Dammam. Data were extracted from hospital records and analyzed descriptively using SPSS version 28.Results Eighteen maternal deaths were identified over the nine-year period, yielding an overall MMR of 6.2 per 100,000 live births (mean age at death 29.8 ± 6.3 years). MMR varied considerably by year, from 0.00/100,000 in 2017 to 37.5/100,000 in 2020. Pregnancy-related complications accounted for 50% of deaths (9/18), most commonly venous thromboembolism (66.7%). Non-obstetric causes included COVID-19 (16.7%), unknown cause (16.7%), brain tumor (5.6%), and myocarditis (5.6%). Most deaths occurred in women with parity 1-3 (61.1%), split evenly between vaginal and caesarean delivery (50% each). Geographic variation was marked: Riyadh recorded deaths in most years with a peak in 2020; Dammam and Al-Ahsa each showed sporadic extreme spikes; Jeddah showed intermittent elevations; no deaths occurred in Madinah.Conclusion The overall MMR at these hospitals is comparatively low to global figures, significant variations across different cities and years, alongside a notable number of deaths with unspecified causes, underscore the need for standardized mortality reviews, autopsy confirmations for suspected embolic deaths, and continuous targeted monitoring.
SN - 1179-1411
ER -