Obesity leading to maternal death

Queensland’s rapidly rising obesity rates may be leading to more deaths among pregnant women and an increase in birth defects, which has prompted Queensland Health to begin collecting maternal death statistics.

Health Minister Lawrence Springborg said informal data suggested an alarming increase in obesity-related maternal morbidity.

“Queensland Health must now be notified if any woman dies while she is pregnant, or within 365 days of her pregnancy,” Mr Springborg said.

“Maternal mortality rates more than doubled in the United States between 1987 and 2009 and with obesity now Queensland’s biggest preventable killer, we may be headed down the same path.

“The rising prevalence of diseases like diabetes, chronic heart disease and hypertension, generally resulting from obesity, are becoming more common in Queensland women of reproductive age.

“Collecting this pregnancy-related mortality data will enable Queensland Health to monitor and address the risks that Queensland’s growing obesity rates are posing to our future mums.

“Obesity is an extremely serious issue and one that our government is addressing head on through the $8.5 million Healthier. Happier. campaign.

“We are also providing greater support for mothers by returning maternity services which were closed by the former Labor government.

“In addition, we are committed to providing 50 new midwives for rural and regional Queensland, delivering on our election promise to revitalise frontline services for families.”

Associate Professor Rebecca Kimble, Chair Statewide Maternity & Neonatal Clinical Network, said data from the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital showed a rising trend in overweight or obese pregnant women.

“Between 2008-12, and including women transferred from around the State for tertiary care, a quarter of pregnant women at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital were overweight and a further 20 per cent were obese,” Ms Kimble said.

“It comes as little surprise that these increasing weights have resulted in rises in the number of anaesthetic risks, preterm delivery rates, post-operative complications and co-morbidities like hypertension and diabetes.

“The risks of being overweight or obese during pregnancy don’t only relate to mothers but also contribute to a rise in the rates of birth defects, stillbirths and late fetal deaths.”

Minister Springborg said collecting the data would provide an accurate account of the impact obesity is having on pregnant women and would assist in developing better treatment options.

[ENDS] 21 December 2013                                                   

Media Contact: Alexandra Foley 0419 794 294