study of maternal mortality

ABSTRACT

To study the maternal mortality and complications of sepsis leading to maternal death in a tertiary care hospital. Descriptive study. Baqai Medical University Hospital Gadap Karachi, from January 2005 to September 2009. This retrospective study was carried out on 30 mothers who died over a period of five years due to various causes. They were referred to Baqai Medical University Hospital from peripheral areas in moribund state. Case summaries of all the maternal deaths were reviewed from death register and studied for the causes of maternal mortality. Patients' age, parity, antenatal booking status and the level of care providers at rural/urban setting along with distance from the hospital, were noted. Causes of maternal mortality were selected for the study. The frequency of maternal mortality was [3/1000] live births. The age range was between 30- 35 years and parity between 4 - 5. All were un booked cases and received no treatment during antenatal period. Out of 30 cases 20 [66.6%] were due to sepsis, 5 [16.6%] due to postpartum haemorrhage [PPH], 3 [10%] due to eclampsia and 2 [6.6%] due to ruptured uterus. Out of 20 cases of sepsis, in 12[60%] it was due to induced abortion followed by 4[20%] due to prolong labour and repeated vaginal examination. The main causes of maternal mortality include sepsis followed by haemorrhage and obstructed labour. All these causes were preventable if proper antenatal care and referral to the hospital were provided