Temporal analysis of maternal mortality due to COVID-19: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Objectives: to analyze maternal mortality due to COVID-19 in Brazil among pregnant and postpartum women of reproductive age (10-49 years) between 2020 and 2024. Methods: this is a descriptive, cross-sectional study based on secondary data from the Brazilian Obstetric Observatory. The study population included women of reproductive age, pregnant women, and postpartum women, with a confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Sociodemographic, clinical, and outcome variables were analyzed using absolute and relative frequencies distributed by year. Time trend graphs were constructed using Python software with (Pandas and Matplotlib libraries). Results: a peak in maternal morbidity and mortality was identified in 2021, accounting for approximately 70% of all cases recorded during the analyzed period. Women aged 20 to 34 years represented 63% of cases, and those of brown race (mixed race) accounted for 56%. The Southeast region concentrated 45% of the records. The most frequent respiratory symptoms were fever (12,000 cases) and dyspnea (10,000). 38% of patients required ICU admission, and 16% received invasive ventilatory support, with a case-fatality rate of 12%. Conclusion: the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated maternal mortality in Brazil, especially in 2021, highlighting racial and regional inequalities in access to and quality of obstetric care.