The UK Obstetric Surveillance System

Abstract 

The UK Obstetric Surveillance System is a national system established to study a range of rare disorders of pregnancy, including severe ‘near-miss’ maternal morbidity. Rare disorders are otherwise difficult to study and interventions rarely evidence-based. Studies are conducted through a monthly mailing to nominated clinicians in every hospital with a consultant-led maternity unit in the UK. The resulting incidence, risk factor, management and outcome information may be used for a variety of purposes including the development and audit of national guidelines and to complement the information obtained from the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health.

Keywords: epidemiology, pregnancy, rare disorders, severe maternal morbidity, surveillance