Factors associated with infection‐related severe maternal outcomes in pregnant and recently pregnant women: A secondary analysis of the WHO global maternal sepsis study

Objective The aim of the present study was to identify the risk factors for severe maternal outcomes (SMO) of women with suspected or confirmed infections using the data from the WHO global maternal sepsis study (GLOSS). Methods We conducted a secondary analysis of the GLOSS cohort study, which involved pregnant or recently pregnant women with suspected or confirmed infection around 713 health facilities in 52 low‐ and middle‐income countries, and high‐income countries. A nested case–control study was conducted within the GLOSS cohort. Cases included infection‐related maternal deaths or near misses, while controls represented non‐SMO. Logistic mixed models, adjusting for country variations, were employed. Using univariate analysis, we calculated crude odds ratios (crude OR) and their 95% confidence interval (95% CI). Variables were identified with less than 16% missing data, and P values less than 0.20 were used to perform the multivariate logistic model multilevel. Results A total of 2558 women were included in the analysis. As for the cases, 134 patients were found in the pregnant in labor or not in labor group and 246 patients in the postpartum or postabortion group. Pregnant women with prior childbirths faced a 64% increased risk of SMO. Ante‐ or intrapartum hemorrhage increased risk by 4.45 times, while trauma during pregnancy increased it by 4.81 times. Pre‐existing medical conditions elevated risk five‐fold, while hospital‐acquired infections increased it by 53%. Secondary infections raised risk six‐fold. Postpartum/postabortion women with prior childbirths had a 45% elevated risk, and pre‐existing medical conditions raised it by 2.84 times. Hospital‐acquired infections increased risk by 93%. Postpartum hemorrhage increased risk approximately five‐fold, while abortion‐related bleeding doubled it. Previous cesarean, abortion, and stillbirth also elevated risk. Conclusions Key risk factors for SMO include prior childbirths, hemorrhage, trauma, pre‐existing conditions, and hospital‐acquired or secondary infections. Implementing effective alert systems and targeted interventions is essential to mitigate these risks and improve maternal health outcomes, especially in resource‐limited settings. SYNOPSIS Accurate detection of risk factors for SMO in infected pregnant women can enhance early warning systems and improve maternal health outcomes in LMICs.