PURPOSE: To describe adolescent maternal mortality and analyze its avoidability. METHODS: An audit approach was used to clarify the presence of avoidable factors in 239 maternal deaths, of which 22% were among adolescents. RESULTS: The main causes of adolescent death were malaria, pregnancy-induced hypertension, puerperal sepsis, and septic abortion. The audit classified as avoidable 75% of all maternal deaths. CONCLUSION: Adequate strategies addressing the special needs of adolescents are required to prevent currently high levels of maternal mortality in this age group.
PURPOSE: To describe adolescent maternal mortality and analyze its avoidability. METHODS: An audit approach was used to clarify the presence of avoidable factors in 239 maternal deaths, of which 22% were among adolescents. RESULTS: The main causes of adolescent death were malaria, pregnancy-induced hypertension, puerperal sepsis, and septic abortion. The audit classified as avoidable 75% of all maternal deaths. CONCLUSION: Adequate strategies addressing the special needs of adolescents are required to prevent currently high levels of maternal mortality in this age group.