MATERNAL MORTALITY: TEN YEARS REVIEW STUDY AT GOA MEDICAL COLLEGE THE ONLY MEDICAL COLLEGE & TEACHING INSTITUTE IN THE STATE OF GOA

Objective: Maternal Mortality: Ten year review study in The Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Goa Medical College. Method: A retrospective study was conducted in the Dept. of OBG GMC over a period of10 years spanning between Jan 4 to Dec 13 regarding Maternal Mortality. Results: There were total of 58 deaths out of 54604 live births during this 10 year period giving maternal mortality ratio(MMR) of 106.15/ 100000 live births which is 50% less as compared to MMR in India(212 maternal deaths/100,000 live births). In last 2 years i.e. in 2012 and 2013 it has come down 86.35-94.46 maternal deaths/100,000 live births, thus already reaching MDG 5 of WHO Referral cases accounted 87.85%. The majority of cases were in 21-30 year age group (93.2%) and mostly they were primigravida (55.1%). Hemorrhage (29cases) was the commonest cause of death followed by pregnancy induced hypertension (26cases). Conclusion: Hemorrhage (PPH, accidental hemorrhage, ruptured uterus), pregnancy induced hypertension including eclampsia, HELP Syndrome, Sepsis and DIC were found to be the direct major causes of death. Anaemia, cardiac disease, hepatitis etc. were other indirect causes of death. So if India has to achieve Millennium Development Goal of slashing the MMR by three quarters by 2015 then determinants of maternal mortality need to be identified and tackled on priority basis. Sustained reduction in maternal mortality will only be possible if modern high quality obstetric care is made available to all women through a system of professional midwifery and referral hospital care in the context of political commitment and accountability of health providers.