Malaria as an important cause of maternal mortality in Sudan

ABSTRACT

This study was performed to highlight the role of malaria in pregnancy as an important cause of maternal mortality. It reviewed the previous studies, conference presentations and postgraduate thesis. Malaria was found to be the cause of death of 10.26% to 46.7% of maternal mortality. The 1998 to 2003 records of maternal deaths of Wad Medani Obstetrics and Gynaecology Teaching Hospital [WMOGTH] was retrospectively studied. Malaria caused death of 8.82% to 39.7%. The mean age was 27.57years . most of them were primigravidae and from rural areas. 37.8% of the deaths occurred at 28-36 weeks of gestation. The mean duration of stay in hospital was 3.22 days, 32.4% of deaths stayed for less than 24 hours, this indicated severe and serious clinical presentations. The main causes of death due to malaria were anaemia [24.3%], cerebral malaria [21.6%] and circulatory failure [8.1%]. Others were pulmonary oedema, hyperpyrexia, puerperal psychosis, abortion, severe epistaxis. cardiac arrest, black water fever, electrolyte imbalance, and hepatic failure. The study recommended effective prevention of malaria and an intensive care approach in its management