Maternal mortality in the last decade at a university hospital in Turkey
Cetin, M.; Sumer, H.; Timuroglu, T.; Demirkoprulu, N.
International Journal of Gynaecology and Obstetrics the Official Organ of the International Federation of Gynaecology and Obstetrics 83(3): 301-302
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 0020-7292 PMID: 14643042 DOI: 10.1016/s0020-7292(03)00134-6Document Number: 232791
A study was conducted to investigate the causes of maternal mortality in a university hospital in Turkey. Maternal deaths were defined as deaths that occurred during pregnancy or within 42 days of the end of a pregnancy, and for which the cause was listed as complication of pregnancy, childbirth or puerperium. 35 maternal deaths occurred at the Cumhuriyet University Hospital between 1992 and 2002. The total number of deliveries during the same period was 7748; 7424 of which were live births. The maternal mortality ratio according to the IDC-10 definition was 471 per 100 000 live births (35/7424) during the study period. 83% of the deaths were due to toxaemia, haemorrhage and infection. The mortality risk was significantly elevated with increasing age and parity. It is concluded that maternal mortality is high in the institution investigated. Results also show that the leading causes of death are potentially preventable, which indicates a need for improvement in both patient and provider education and perinatal care.
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