Analysis of the pregnancy-related deaths within the last two decades: a university hospital-based study from Turkey

Abstract

Objective: To analyse the causes of pregnancy-related deaths at Ondokuz Mayıs University Hospital. Study design: The death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy regardless of the cause of death, including accidental or incidental causes, was accepted as a ‘pregnancy-related death’. Such deaths were evaluated in Ondokuz Mayıs University Hospital in the years 1978–1997 inclusive. They were classified as direct obstetric, indirect obstetric, and accidental or incidental deaths. Results: Eighty-seven pregnancy-related deaths were identified via hospital death records. Maternal mortality ratio was calculated to be 822.2 per 100 000 live births. Seventy seven percent of the deaths were due to direct obstetric causes; most commonly due to toxemia, infection and hemorrhage. Conclusion: Direct obstetric deaths, which are largely preventable with proper antenatal care and health services, are still problem in our country.