Abstract
This study aimed to analyze maternal deaths and present the Maternal Mortality Ratio in the city of Fortaleza, in the Northeast region of Brazil, from 2008-2010. This is a descriptive study. Data collection occurred in the Mortality Information System and in the maternal death investigation files of the Local Health Department. Fifty-six maternal deaths were investigated with a Maternal Mortality Ratio of 39.75/100,000 live births. The prevalent age group was 20-29 years (50.0%). Hypertensive disorders (50.0%) were the most prevalent causes of direct obstetric deaths. As for indirect obstetric deaths, infectious and parasitic diseases (28.1%) prevailed. Nearly all deaths were considered preventable or possibly preventable (91.1%). Thus, it can be assumed that most deaths could have been avoided by ensuring the quality of prenatal care.
Highlights
Maternal death consists of every death caused by pregnancy or its management, it can occur during pregnancy or forty-two days after it, regardless of the duration or location
Maternal mortality is an excellent indicator of health and inequities, since its occurrence is higher in underdeveloped and developing areas[2]. It represents a serious public health problem, considered a violation of human rights, since the cases can be prevented if women have access to quality prenatal care[3]
Direct death comprises every case resulting from complications of pregnancy, childbirth or the postpartum period; and indirect obstetric death occurs when there was a coexistence of disease before pregnancy or that developed during pregnancy and worsened by its intrinsic effects[1]
Summary
Maternal death consists of every death caused by pregnancy or its management, it can occur during pregnancy or forty-two days after it, regardless of the duration or location. For this reason, the Maternal Mortality Ratio measures the probability of women dying from causes related to the pregnant and puerperal cycle[1]. Maternal mortality is an excellent indicator of health and inequities, since its occurrence is higher in underdeveloped and developing areas[2]. It represents a serious public health problem, considered a violation of human rights, since the cases can be prevented if women have access to quality prenatal care[3]. Direct death comprises every case resulting from complications of pregnancy, childbirth or the postpartum period; and indirect obstetric death occurs when there was a coexistence of disease before pregnancy or that developed during pregnancy and worsened by its intrinsic effects[1]
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