Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41419807›Full record

SynthesisBMC pregnancy and childbirth2025

Global incidence and risk factors of pregnancy-related stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis of over 270 million women.

Malihe Nourollahpour Shiadeh, Kimia Pakdaman, Amin Esmaeilnia Shirvani, Zeinab Hashemi, Pouyan Ebrahimi

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
In one paragraph

Synthesis in BMC pregnancy and childbirth, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Malihe Nourollahpour Shiadeh *Sexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran. malihe.nurollahpur@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-2990-1123
Kimia Pakdaman *School of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2146-5280
Amin Esmaeilnia ShirvaniSchool of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0009-0002-5939-8765
Zeinab HashemiSexual and Reproductive Health Research Center, Mazandaran University of Medical Sciences, Sari, Iran.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-5939-4954
Pouyan EbrahimiSchool of Medicine, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran. pouyanebi1375@gmail.com.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2654-2169

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveStroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with its prevalence increasing due to risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Pregnancy-related stroke (PRS), a severe pregnancy complication, particularly during the postpartum period, has shown rising incidence rates, occurring at 30 per 100,000 pregnancies, three times higher than in the general young adult population. This study systematically reviews and analyzes global and regional data regarding the incidence and risk factors of PRS.

methodsComprehensive searches of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science databases were performed until December 20, 2024. Studies reporting any type of stroke occurring during pregnancy (from the time of confirmation to one year postpartum) were included. Study quality was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) checklist, and data analysis was conducted with STATA version 17. A random-effects meta-analysis was employed to calculate pooled incidence rates per 100,000 pregnancies, with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran’s Q test and quantified with the I² statistic. Risk factors for PRS were also evaluated using univariate regression.

resultsA total of 33 studies involving 270,136,827 pregnant women from 10 countries met inclusion criteria. The global cumulative incidence of PRS was 25.38 (95% CI: 21.02–30.63) per 100,000 pregnancies. Regional analysis revealed the highest incidence in the South-East Asia region (66.31; 95% CI: 44.22–99.42) and the lowest in the European region (12.88; 95% CI: 7.73–21.46). Based on 22 included studies, the pooled maternal mortality rate due to PRS was estimated at 1.55 per 100,000 pregnancies (95% CI: 1.04–2.32). Risk factors significantly associated with PRS included migraine, dyslipidemia, alcohol use, tobacco smoking, sickle cell disorders, coagulopathy, cardiovascular diseases, preeclampsia/eclampsia/gestational hypertension, and postpartum hemorrhage.

conclusionPRS, with a global incidence of 25.38 per 100,000 pregnancies, remains a critical health concern, particularly in regions with limited resources. However, a lack of data from many countries limits a comprehensive global understanding. The identification of key risk factors, such as preeclampsia, cardiovascular disorders, and postpartum hemorrhage, highlights the need for targeted preventive strategies. Improved data collection, early detection, and timely intervention are essential to reducing the burden of PRS worldwide.

trial registrationThe PROSPERO registration code is CRD420251152299.

Indexed as

Global HealthPregnancy Complications, CardiovascularStrokeFemaleHumansIncidencePregnancyRisk FactorsIncidenceMeta-analysisPostpartum periodPregnancyStroke

Identifiers

PMID41419807
PMCPMC12831441

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY-NC-ND
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.