Publication:

Maternal death audit at tertiary care centre: changing trends

Background The aim of the study was to analyse the trend in maternal mortality ratio in a tertiary care centre.

Methods This was a four-year retrospective analysis of maternal deaths that occurred at Government Rajaji Hospital, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Madurai from January 2017 to December 2020. Cases were stratified based on cause of death. Epidemiological data was collected from the hospital register.

Results The total number of maternal deaths at GRH during the study period is 228, in which death due to obstetric cause was 82 (36%) and non-obstetric cause was 146 (64%). The most common cause in each year was PIH (23%-2017, 29%- 2018), heart disease (22%- 2019) and infection (46%- 2020).

Conclusions We concluded by this study that the maternal death due to non-obstetric causes were more than the obstetric causes due to improved antenatal, post-natal care, institutionalized deliveries and timely referral to the CEmONC (comprehensive emergency obstetric and new-born care) centres and management.