Illegally induced abortions: a study of 37 cases

Over a period of 3 years, there were 5230 pregnancy related admissions to Unit II, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Dow Medical College, Civil Hospital, Karachi. Of these, 1201 [22.96%] cases were identified as having abortion related complications. Thirty-seven [3.08%] cases amongst the total abortions were illegally induced. A prospective study of various aspects of these cases shows that maternal mortality was high, sepsis and trauma in some form being responsible for the majority of maternal deaths. The aim of this study was to identify the contributory factors responsible for maternal morbidity and mortality