Study of peripartum maternal mortality: Retrospective study

Abstract

- Objective: A study of the maternal mortality rate in the obstetrics and gynecology hospital at Damascus University between 2010-2019, and its causes.

- Materials and Methods: Study design: A retrospective study, which included maternal deaths in the Obstetrics and Gynecology University Hospital at Damascus between 2010-2019.

- Results: Between 2010-2019, 45 maternal deaths were recorded, and the maternal mortality rate was 36.9/105. The average age was 30.2 years, and the largest percentage was between 25-34 years old. 15.6% was nulliparous, 62.2% had a history of vaginal delivery, 37.8% had a history of caesarean section, and 75.6% were in full term. Death occurred before birth in one case, in seven cases during delivery, and in 37 cases after birth, vaginal delivery in 42.2% and caesarean section in 55.6%. The cause was direct in 95.6%, indirect in 2.2%, and in one case it was not related to pregnancy. Causes of death included: uterine inertia haemorrhage 40%, eclampsia 8.9%, rupture of uterus during labour8.9%, amniotic fluid embolism8.9%, placenta previa with haemorrhage 6.7%, obstetric laceration of cervix 4.4%, pulmonary embolus 4.4%, post-abortion haemorrhage 2.2%, septic shock after abortion 2.2%, pre-eclampsia superimposed on chronic hypertension 2.2%, pre-eclampsia 2.2%, separation of placenta with haemorrhage 2.2%, anesthesia complications 2.2%, haemorrhage due to thrombocytopenia secondary to brain metastases 2.2%, non-traumatic rupture of the spleen 2.2%.

- Conclusions: The maternal mortality rate decreased in our hospital between 2010-2019 (36.9/10⁵) compared to previous years (44.2-72.5/10⁵), and hemorrhage of its various types and causes was the most common cause, the most common of which was uterine inertia haemorrhage.