Severe Maternal Illnesses and Deaths in Low Resource Settings

Globally maternal deaths and Maternal Mortality Ratio (MMR) have decreased from 543,000 and 400 in 1990 to 287,000 and 210 in 2010 respectively. Studies of severely ill obstetric cases reveal, case fatality highest in Africa 1:5. Figure for India is 1:11, but there are not many reports. Present study was done by analysis of records of seriously ill obstetric cases managed over five years at a referral health facility with limited resources to know survival/death among severely ill cases during pregnancy, birth, post-birth. Of all cases 10% women died. Case fatality was highest in women from low resource urban area (16%). In women who were severely ill due to acute fatty liver of pregnancy, case fatality was 100%. If women with hypertensive disorders during pregnancy developed placental abruption, coagulation disorder or intracerebral bleed or pulmonary edema, case fatality was 43%. And in cases of severe illnesses due to medical disorders with pregnancy, it was 37%. More research and better health care is essential to prevent severe illnesses which occur due to common problems during pregnancy and birth. Also better system for prevention and management of multiorgan failure is essential at referral in similar situations for prevention of fatality in severely ill women during pregnancy, labour and postpartum. *Corresponding author: Shakuntala Chhabra, Director Professor, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Kasturba Health Society, Sevagram, Maharashtra, India, E-mail: [email protected], [email protected] Citation: Chhabra, S., et al. Severe Maternal Illnesses and Deaths in Low Resource Settings. (2017) J Gynecol Neonatal Biol 2(2): 50-54.