Maternal mortality in Ribat University Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan : seven years of experience

Abstract EN

Background : maternal death is a tragedy that leaves an enormous negative impact on the family.

The objectives of the study were to determine the rate and causes of maternal mortality in Ribat University Hospital Methods : this was a descriptive, hospital-based study conducted in Ribat University Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan.

Maternal mortality records were reviewed for causes of maternal death.

Data were collected by a check list and analysed by SPSS software.

Results : the number of maternal deaths was 10 while the number of live births during the study period was 19604.

The maternal mortality rate was 51:100000 live births.

40% of patients were below the age of 30 while 60 % were 30 years of age and more.

Rural and urban residence constituted 70 % and 30 % respectively 60 % of patients had a parity of more than four.

Results showed that 62.5% delivered by emergency caesarean section.

The study revealed that 20 % of the patients died as a result of pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) (Hellp syndrome and eclampsia), 20 % of PIH (eclampsia), 10 % of PIH (rupture liver), 10 % of ante partum hemorrhage (placenta praevia), 10 % of primary postpartum haemorrhage following twin vaginal delivery, 10 % of puerperal sepsis and septic shock following emergency caesarean section, 10 % of hypovolaemia due to hyperemisis gravidarum and 10 % of septicaemia with acute renal failure following missed miscarriage, Conclusions : maternal mortality rate was 51 : 100000 live births.

Pregnancy induced hypertension constituted one half of the causes of maternal deaths, followed by haemorrhage and septicaemia.