Maternal mortality trend in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, 2006-2018, according to the ICD-MM classification

The study aimed to analyze the trend in the maternal mortality ratio (MMR) according to the ICD classification for maternal mortality (ICD-MM) classification in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, from 2006 to 2018. This was a time trend study of MMR in Rio de Janeiro according to type of death (direct or indirect) and groups of causes in the World Health Organization (WHO) ICD-MM. MMR was calculated with data from Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM) and Brazilian Information System on Live Births (SINASC). Trends were estimated with the Join-point Regression Program. Of the 2,192 maternal deaths in the state, 61% were from direct causes, 34% from indirect causes, and 5% unspecified. There was a downward trend in total MMR and MMR from direct causes: -1.2% (95%CI: -2.3; -0.1) per year and -3.8% (95%CI: -4.9; -2.6) from 2006 to 2015, respectively. For direct causes, according to the ICD-MM, group 2 (hypertensive causes) predominated, but there was a decrease in eclampsia. Next came group 5 (other complications, featuring category O90 and subcategory O90.3 - peripartum cardiomyopathy) and group 1 (pregnancy with abortive outcomes). Indirect causes showed stability, and the majority belonged to category O99 and its subcategories related to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. MMR in Rio de Janeiro showed a downward trend from 2006 to 2018, although far short of WHO recommendations and with different patterns among the causes. ICD-MM was useful for identifying major groups of causes, but it is necessary to disaggregate by subcategories to adequately elucidate the etiology of maternal death.