Causes of Maternal Mortality in Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Maternal mortality is a woman’s death during pregnancy or postpartum period due to direct or indirect causes. Its direct causes are related to obstetrical issues. The indirect cause of it refer to an underlying disease, i.e. aggravated during pregnancy and leads to death. A routine data-based study conducted at the Legal Medicine Organization of Tehran City, Iran, the autopsy findings of maternal mortalities during April 2017-2019 were reviewed. During the study period, 53 cases were autopsied of which 29 (54.7%) and 24 (45.3%) died due to direct and indirect causes, respectively. , The prevalent direct causes of death, were bleeding (22.6%), eclampsia/preeclampsia (13.2%), and ectopic pregnancy (5.7%). Frequent indirect causes were cardiac diseases (20.7%) and nervous system and infectious diseases (both: 7.5%). This study revealed the considerable share of indirect causes in maternal mortalities in Tehran. Moreover, we outlined the importance of early detection of non-obstetrical medical conditions during pregnancy care to reduce preventable maternal mortalities.