Maternal Mortality During or After Pregnancy Significantly Affects Infant Health Outcomes

Recent research highlights the profound impact maternal health has on infant survival and wellbeing. Studies indicate that when a mother dies during pregnancy or within the first year postpartum, her infant's risk of death or hospitalization increases dramatically. An extensive analysis conducted in Massachusetts from 1999 to 2021 reveals that infants are over 14 times more likely to die if their mother passes away during pregnancy or after childbirth. Additionally, infants born to mothers who experienced severe maternal morbidity (SMM) are 22 times more likely to succumb within their first year.

Even surviving infants face heightened risks; those whose mothers experienced pregnancy-related deaths are 35% more prone to hospitalization in their first year, and 10% more likely if their mother faced serious health conditions linked to SMM. These findings emphasize the critical connection between maternal health and infant outcomes.

The study underscores that maternal mortality and morbidity are among the strongest predictors of infant mortality, surpassing other risk factors such as maternal age or socioeconomic status. Causes of infant death include birth injuries, congenital malformations, and complications related to prematurity.

Experts stress that improving maternal health services and policies can significantly reduce infant mortality rates. As maternal death review systems are weakened or eliminated in some regions, this research advocates for increased investment in maternal healthcare to benefit not only mothers but also their children and broader communities. These insights serve as a reminder that healthier mothers lay the foundation for healthier infants and future generations.

source: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-09-mother-death-pregnancy-infant-hospitalization.html