Predicting mortality in critically ill obstetric patients requiring intensive care unit admission in India

Abstract

Starting with the intensive coronary care units (ICCUs) in the early 1970s and the respiratory care units in the mid 1970s critical care medicine has come a long way in India to emerge as a specialty in its own rights. Presently several centers provide critical care facilities not only in large metros but also in smaller cities and even small towns; these are run by the corporate sector charitable institutions/societies and the government sector. However only a few of these centers are accessible to pregnant women. Even then pregnant and postpartum women form up to 7% of admissions in Indian intensive care units (ICUs) especially in public hospitals. Even though obstetric patients constitute a considerable proportion of patients admitted to intensive ICUs sparse data are available from developing countries regarding the critical care perspective of pregnant women. Critical care in obstetrics still remains a neglected area especially in developing countries like India. (excerpt)