Obstetrical Haemorrhagic Mortality in a Tertiary Hospital of the Limpopo Province, South Africa

Abstract

Background: Obstetric haemorrhage is potentially fatal. Its frequency contributes to assessment of population health. So this study purpose was to assess the maternal deathsdue to obstetric haemorrhage in a tertiary hospital of the Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Methods: Allmaternal deaths, which occurred at Pietersburg Hospitalfrom January 2011 to December 2015 were reviewed. The hospital death register was used to collate the list of maternal deaths.Maternalage, parity, referring facility, date of admission and death, ward where death occurred, and causes of deathwere collected from delivery registers and patient medical records.

Results: There were 232 maternal deaths of which 48 (20.7%) were due to obstetrical haemorrhage. The mean age of the 48 women was 31.7±6.7 year range 15-48 years. Thirty one of 48 haemorrhagic deaths (65%) occurred within 24 hours of admission, 16 of 48 (33%) had a parity of 3 or more, 19 (40%) died in ICU and 12 (25%) in casualty. Forty three of 48 women (90%) were referred, of which 36 (84%) were from district hospitals. Post-partum haemorrhage accounted for 39 of 48 (81%) deaths followed by unspecifiedante-partum haemorrhage accounting for 4 (8%) and placenta abruption 2 of 48 (4%).

Conclusion: This study demonstrated that a maternal death due to obstetric haemorrhage remains a major concern in Limpopo Province. Post-partum haemorrhage was the main cause of deaths.