Biblioteca Virtual en Salud

The study was conducted to determine the maternal mortality rate (MMR), various factors affecting it and possible prevention of maternal deaths in Christian Medical College & Hospital, a tertiary care institute during the past five years (2001- 2005). The individual record of maternal deaths was studied regarding their socio-demographic features, causes, modes of management and ultimate outcome. The Maternal Mortality rate was 1470 per lac live births. The major obstetrical complications accounted for more than three fourth of maternal deaths with hemorrhage (33%), sepsis (21.7%) and eclampsia (7.5%) playing an important role. Anemia (44.3%) and jaundice (16.0%) were two important indirect causes of maternal deaths. Un-booked cases accounted for majority of maternal deaths. Only two maternal mortality patients were showing regularly in our institute, rest all of the patients either had no antenatal check-up or were having ANC in private clinics and were referred as an emergency in critical condition. More than 90% of maternal deaths hailed from rural and urban slum areas. 61 (57.8%) cases received primary care from untrained birth attendants and 11 (10.4%) did not receive primary care in any form. There was delayed referral by the untrained personnel, 49 (46.2%) patients were referred after more than 48 hours of acute emergency, 51 (48.1%) died between 24 to 48 hours and 25 (23.6%) died within 24 hours of admission in spite of all resuscitative measures. It is concluded that providing good antenatal care, finding appropriate ways of preventing and dealing with the consequences of unwanted pregnancies, and improving the way society looks after pregnant women are three most important ways to reduce maternal mortality.