Abstract

Background: Maternal death has been used traditionally as a measure of quality of health care in a community with 16% world’s population India accounts for over 20% of maternal deaths. The present study was conducted to assess causes of maternal deaths.

Materials & Methods: The present study was conducted in the department of forensic sciences. It included 22 pregnancy related deaths. Ethical clearance was obtained before starting the study.

General information such as gender, age, demographic profile and histopathological findings were recorded. Causes of deaths were also assessed.

Results: Age group 16-20 years had 7 cases, 20-24 years had 8 cases, 24-28 years had 4 cases, 28-32 years had 2 cases and 1 case was of age >32 years. The difference was significant (P-0.01). Causes of deaths was direct gestational (12), indirect gestational (6) and non- gestational (4) deaths. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). The most common direct gestational causes were pregnancy induced hypertension (4) followed by pre-eclampsia (3), amniotic fluid embolism (2), eclampsia (1), HELLP syndrome (1) and septic organ failure (1). The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Gestational causes as cardiac arrest (3), myocardial infarction (2) and pericardial temponade due to ruptured aortic aneurysm (1). The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Non gestational causes as multiple trauma (1), traumatic brain injury (2) and fatal nacrotic intoxication (1).

Conclusion: Pregnancy-induced hypertension, amniotic fluid embolism and cardiac arrest are the main contributors to directly gestation-related maternal death in pregnancy.

Keywords: Forensic, Gestational, Multiple trauma.