Suresh S. Kanakannavar1
ABSTRACT: OBJECTIVE: To study the various causative factors of maternal mortality and to chalk out recommendations to reduce the same. METHODS: A retrospective confidential review of maternal deaths was done from the hospital case records, death summary sheets and maternal death register for the period from 1st January to 31st December, 2012. RESULTS: It was found that a total of 53 deaths had occurred out of 14, 883 live births, giving a Maternal Mortality Rate (MMR) of 356/lakh live births, during the said study period. Preventable deaths accounted for 74% of deaths. Late referrals, un-booked mothers, lack of training and non-availability of blood and blood products at the primary referral units and lack of blood and blood products at the tertiary centre were identified as the main factors which can reduce the MMR. Maximum deaths were noted in the age group between 21-30, about 79%. 48% were multi-parous, 35% were primiparous and parity was not known in 17% of women. Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) (28%) was the leading cause for deaths in this study. CONCLUSION: Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy (HDP) (28%), Haemorrhage (20%) and Sepsis (13%) were the major contributors of death under direct causes and Anaemia (13%) under the indirect cause of death, accounting for a total of 74% of preventable deaths.
