Maternal Intensive Care Unit Admission: A 10-Year Population-Based Study in Slovakia

Abstract Objective Analysis of life-threatening maternal morbidities and their subsequent treatment in intensive care units in Slovakia during the years 2012–2021. Material and Methods A descriptive, population-based study of 747 cases of mothers admitted to intensive care units (ICU). The reasons for admission were divided into nine categories: peripartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, thromboembolism, cardiovascular diseases, sepsis-severe infections, metabolic diseases, anaesthesia-related complications, gastrointestinal disorders, and others. Results The overall incidence of ICU admission was 1.4 per 1000 births. The most common reasons for ICU admission were severe postpartum haemorrhage (49.1%), hypertensive disorders (25.3%) and sepsis or severe infections (4.7%). Age-specific incidence ranged from 1.1 in the 20–29 age group to 3.5 per 1000 births in women aged 40 and over. Incidence of ICU admission after caesarean section (3.85) was 9.4-fold higher than after vaginal delivery (0.34). The higher proportion of ICU admissions occurred after the 37th gestational week (51.5%), but the incidence before the 37th weeks was 11.7-fold higher than after the 37th week. Almost one third of ICU admitted mothers were overweight (19.5%) or obese (14.4%). The incidence of ICU admission among mothers of Roma nationality (10.3) was 8.6 time higher than non-Roma nationality (1.2). Maternal mortality among ICU-admitted mothers was 2.7% and perinatal mortality of their newborns was 9.5%. Conclusion The incidence of maternal ICU admissions in Slovakia ranks among the lowest globally. However, significant risk factors such as advanced maternal age, high BMI and cesarean section delivery highlight the need for targeted interventions. Severe postpartum haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders and sepsis remain the leading cause of ICU admissions.