Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Surveillance in Latvia

Latvia's maternal surveillance framework combines national health statistics collected and analyzed by the Center for Disease Prevention and Control (SPKC) with Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths organized under the Ministry of Health.

The SPKC Medical Birth Register collects information through standardized newborn registration forms, covering births across Latvia. These records include maternal characteristics, obstetric history, pregnancy and childbirth complications, and neonatal outcomes, providing a national basis for monitoring maternity care. Maternal mortality statistics are compiled separately from cause-of-death records and published in the SPKC Health Statistics Database.

Confidential Inquiries complement routine statistics by examining the circumstances surrounding maternal deaths, identifying contributing clinical and organizational factors, and assessing opportunities to improve care. An annual update on maternal mortality and morbidity is prepared by Professor Dace Rezeberga, the Ministry of Health's Chief Specialist in Obstetrics and Gynecology, drawing on national data and findings from maternal death reviews.

Mission statement

To monitor maternal mortality and morbidity, identify factors contributing to adverse maternal outcomes, and translate surveillance findings into improvements in the quality and safety of care during pregnancy, childbirth and the postpartum period.

Aims

• Monitor maternal mortality ratios, causes of maternal death and trends over time.
• Analyze maternal morbidity and obstetric complications using the information available in the SPKC Medical Birth Register.
• Examine maternal deaths through Confidential Enquiries to identify contributing factors and opportunities for prevention.
• Identify clinical and organizational challenges requiring improvement.
• Inform evidence-based recommendations, clinical protocols and national maternal health priorities.
• Support professional education by sharing lessons from surveillance and confidential reviews.
• Assess changes in maternal outcomes and maternity care indicators over time.

Previous work

• National analyses of maternal mortality, including trends and causes of death.
• Confidential reviews of maternal deaths, examining clinical care and organisational factors.
• Registry-based analyses of pregnancy and childbirth complications and maternity care indicators.

Current activities

• Continuing national monitoring of maternal mortality and registry-recorded maternal morbidity.
• Conducting Confidential Enquiries into Maternal Deaths under the Ministry of Health.
• Preparing annual updates on maternal mortality and morbidity led by Professor Dace Rezeberga.
• Sharing Latvia's surveillance experience through participation in INOSS and supporting international exchange on the prevention of maternal deaths and severe maternal morbidity.