MATERNAL MORTALITY ASSOCIATED WITH ADULT-RESPIRATORY-DISTRESS-SYNDROME

Background. Pregnancy-related adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARD S) can lead to maternal mortality and morbidity. Methods. Records of a ll pregnant patients diagnosed with ARDS over a 14-year period were re viewed and the cases were stratified into survivors and nonsurvivors. Results. Forty-one cases were identified and 31 survived (maternal mor tality rate of 24.4%). Adult respiratory distress syndrome was diagnos ed in the antepartum period in 23 (56.1%) of the patients and the majo rity of these cases occurred in the third trimester (73.9%). There was no statistically significant difference in demographic characteristic s, preexisting diseases, or probable precipitating cause for the devel opment of ARDS between the two groups. The cause of death among the no nsurvivors included multisystem organ failure, sepsis, cardiac arrest, and disseminated intravascular coagulopathy. Conclusion. Pregnancy-re lated ARDS continues to be associated with a high maternal mortality r ate (25%). Unfortunately, the etiology for ARDS during pregnancy is no t predictive of maternal outcome.