In Depth Analysis of Maternal Mortality in Ain Shams University Maternity Hospital in 2014-2017

Abstract

Abstract Background Maternal death is the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the duration and site of the pregnancy, from any cause related to or aggravated by the pregnancy or its management but not from accidental or incidental causes. To facilitate the identification of maternal deaths in circumstances in which cause of death attribution is inadequate, a new category has been introduced: Pregnancy-related death is defined as the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy, irrespective of the cause of death. Aim of the Work is to determine outline and asses the magnitude and the factors contributing to maternal mortality, especially the avoidable factors and to evaluate the possibility of prevention of such factors, to decrease the incidence of maternal mortality to the least possible value, and finally to make some recommendations and comments for possible preventive measures. Patients and Methods This retrospective study was be done to detect accurate prevalence and most common causes of maternal deaths in Ain Shams maternity hospital over the last four years from 1 January 2014 to end of December 2017. Ain Shams Maternity hospital is one of Ain Shams University teaching hospitals located at Abbaseya district serving large population area, producing its governmental medical services by low fees and nominal prices. Results The substandard care cases were only (21) cases from total of (161) mortality cases representing (13.043%) from total mortalities, so MMR was (0.4937) per 1000 live births. This was the real MMR that the hospital and health system might had the ability to prevent their occurance. Conclusion For improving maternal heath, four essential elements should be done: adequate primary health care at all levels, and an adequate share of the available food for girls from infancy to adolescence, and family planning universally available, to avoid unwanted or high risk pregnancies. After pregnancy begins, good prenatal care, including nutrition with efficient and early detection and referral of high risk patient. The assistance of a trained person for all women in child birth, at home or in the hospital. Women at higher risk must all have effective access to the essential elements of obstetric care.