Title: Maternal Mortality at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Retrospective Study

Authors: Dr Jessica Celina Fernandes, Dr Asha Swarup O V, Dr Ashwini Nayak U, Dr Chaitra Shivananjaiah, Dr Sneha Gupta

 DOI:  http://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v3i10.23

Abstract

Introduction:Pregnancyis a physiological state women face, which carries a very high risk of morbidity and mortality. The reason being various complications associated with pregnancy, which is more so in developing countries. A death of a mother is a loss not just to the family, also to the society and country. Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) is a significant marker, which reflects the quality of health carewomenreceive in a country.

Objectives:To assess the Maternal Mortality Ratio and the causes of maternal death over a period of five years- at a tertiary care teaching hospital in rural India.

Methods: A retrospective hospital based study of 44 maternal deaths over a period of 6 years from January 2009 to December 2014. The information regarding demographic profile and reproductive parameters were collected and results analyzed using percentage and proportion.

Results:In our study period, there were a total of 12,877 deliveries. The leading direct cause (47.7%) was sepsis and most primary diagnosis- anemia (40.9%). The age group of below 25 years (56.8%), delivered outside (40.9%) were majorly affected.

Conclusions:Majority cause for maternal deaths are the ones, which are preventable by regular antenatal, monitored intranatal and appropriate postnatal care. Early identification of the complication, adequate and appropriate treatment and active intervention is essential to reduce maternal deaths.

Keywords:Maternal mortality, post partum hemorrhage, preeclampsia, abruption, placenta previa.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Chaitra Shivananjaiah

Junior Resident (OBG), M.S.Ramaiah Medical College, Bangalore, India

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