ABSTRACT
Cross-sectional study was performed in all maternity units of Tbilisi, Georgia, with delivering 18,554 women between 1 January 2004 and 1 January 2005. There were 267 cases of severe obstetric morbidity giving a prevalence of 14,2 per 1000 deliveries (95% CI 12,6-16,0). During the study there were 3 maternal deaths. Disease specific morbidities per 1000 deliveries were: severe pre - eclampsia - 5,0 (95% CI 4,1-6,2); hysterectomy during 24 hours after delivery - 4,5 (95% CI 3,6-5,6); hemorrhage - 2,3 (95% CI 1,7-3,1), sepsis 1,3 (95% CI 0,9-2,0); eclampsia - 0,74 (95% CI 0,44-1,25); uterine rupture - 0,16 (95% CI 0,05-0,47); HELLP-syndrome - 0,11 (95% CI 0,03-0,39). Severe obstetric morbidity and its relation to mortality may be more sensitive measures of pregnancy outcome than mortality alone and allows for an effective audit system of maternal care.
