OBJECTIVE To determine the frequency of near-miss cases, nature of near-miss events and mortality among obstetric patients. STUDY DESIGN Cross-sectional, observational study. PLACE AND DURATION OF STUDY The study was conducted in the Obstetric Unit of Fatima Hospital, Baqai Medical University, from January 2006 to December 2006. METHODOLOGY Near-miss case definition was based on validated...

BACKGROUND The North Eastern region of Nigeria has one of the highest maternal mortality ratios (MMRs) in the world, and most of these deaths are preventable. Culture, religion and customs that prevent access to care contribute immensely to these deaths. AIM To review and document the MMR. MATERIALS AND METHODS This was a retrospective study of all maternal deaths recorded at the Federal Me...

OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to identify the main causes of maternal mortality within a developed country to refocus and enhance the delivery of obstetric services. STUDY DESIGN From January 1, 1983, to December 31, 2000, 309 maternal deaths occurring in Bavaria were documented and classified in a prospective observational study. The data sources were the civil registry, confidential r...

OBJECTIVE To analyze maternal deaths in Turkey due to hypertensive disorders. MATERIAL AND METHODS In this retrospective study 812 maternal deaths were analyzed. Maternal demographic features, presence of antenatal care, medical and obstetric history, mode of delivery, and use emergency antihypertensive therapy were recorded. The delay model for each case was investigated. RESULTS Hypertens...

OBJECTIVE To ascertain demographic and clinical characteristics of maternal deaths from self-harm (accidental overdose or suicide) to identify opportunities for prevention. METHODS We report a case series of pregnancy-associated deaths resulting from self-harm in the state of Colorado between 2004 and 2012. Self-harm deaths were identified from several sources, including death certificates. B...

OBJECTIVE To examine the feasibility and effectiveness of community-based maternal mortality surveillance in rural Ghana, where most information on maternal deaths usually comes from retrospective surveys and hospital records. METHODS In 2013, community-based surveillance volunteers used a modified reproductive age mortality survey (RAMOS 4+2) to interview family members of women of reproduct...

Background: Maternal mortality in sub‐Saharan Africa has remained high and this is a reflection of the poor quality of maternal services. Aim: To determine the causes, trends, and level of maternal mortality rate in Abakaliki, Ebonyi. Materials and Methods: This was a review of the records of all maternal deaths related to pregnancy over a ten‐year period, that is, January 1999 to December 2008...

OBJECTIVE Data on maternal mortality varies by region and data source. Accurate local-level data are essential to appreciate its burden. This study uses autopsy results to assess maternal mortality causes in southern Ghana. METHODS Autopsy log books of the Department of Pathology, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Mortuary were reviewed from 2004 through 2008 for pregnancy related deaths. Data were ...

In Pakistan, the vital registration system is weak, and population-based data on the maternal mortality ratio are limited. This study was carried out to collect information on maternal deaths from different existing sources during the current year-2007 (prospective) and the past two years--2005 and 2006-(retrospective), identify gaps in information, and critically analyze maternal deaths at the...

BACKGROUND Maternal Mortality Surveillance has been conducted by the State of Michigan since 1950, and anesthesia-related maternal deaths were most recently reviewed for the years 1972-1984. METHODS Records for pregnancy-associated deaths between 1985 and 2003 were reviewed to identify 25 cases associated with a perioperative arrest or major anesthetic complication. Four obstetric anesthesiol...