Background & aim: In a lower-middle income country, such as Ghana, maternal death still occurs even in case of providing skilled perinatal care. The impact of maternal death on the family, community, and society has been largely studied. However, its implications for midwifery practice in Ghana has not been extensively investigated. The purpose of this study was to exp...

BACKGROUND Cardiomyopathy associated with pregnancy was first described more than half a century ago. However, because of its rare occurrence and geographical differences, the clinical profile of this condition has remained incompletely defined. METHODS AND RESULTS Data obtained from 123 women with a history of cardiomyopathy diagnosed during pregnancy or the postpartum period were reviewed. ...

INTRODUCTION Peripartum cardiomyopathy is a rare form of cardiomyopathy, with heterogeneous presentation occurring in women between one-month antepartum and six months postpartum. It carries a poor prognosis and a high risk of mortality. CASE PRESENTATION We report the development of peripartum cardiomyopathy in two sisters, 27- and 35-year-old African women, one of whom presented with a larg...

BACKGROUND AND METHODS Clinical and microbiological features of maternal sepsis in the peripartum period (7 days before to 7 days after delivery) were analyzed to determine possible risk factors, optimal treatment and outcome. In 43 483 deliveries during 1990-98, laboratory-confirmed bacteremia was found in 41 (5.1%) out of 798 clinically suspected septic infections. RESULTS Preterm deliverie...

Objectives. The aim of the study was to evaluate the activity of cathepsin B, collagenases, trypsin, and plasmin and concentration of cystatin C in serum of healthy pregnant women in peripartum period. Study Design. The study group included 45 women in uncomplicated pregnancies. Blood samples were collected in four time points. Enzyme activity was measured by spectrofluorometric method. The lev...

OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of adverse events in pregnant women with cardiomyopathy (CDM) and CDM subtypes at the time of delivery. BACKGROUND Investigation of patients' characteristics and outcomes in women with CDM at the time of delivery has been limited. METHODS The Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project's National Inpatient Sample was screened for ...

Objectives: To review the incidence, risk factors, indications, outcomes, and complications of emergency peripartum hysterectomy performed after cesarean section and vaginal deliveries. Study design: A nine years retrospective study of all those cases who underwent peripartum hysterectomy at Patan Hospital from the year 1997 to 2005. Results: There were total 28 cases of emergency peripartum hy...