Alarmingly High Maternal Mortality in 21st Century.
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Date
2007-07
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Abstract
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.
Description
Keywords
Maternal mortality rate (MMR), Emergency obstetrical care (EmOC), Obstetrical hemorrhage
Citation
Kaur Dilpreet, Kaur Vaneet, Yuel Veronica Irene. Alarmingly High Maternal Mortality in 21st Century. JK Science Journal of Medical Education and Research. 2007 July-Sept;9(3): 123-126