An investigation of maternal mortality at a tertiary hospital of the Limpopo province of South Africa

• DOI: 10.4102/sajid.v32i2.57
• Publication Date: 2019-09-09T07:11:22Z
• Authors: Sam T. Ntuli; Mabina Mogale; Francis L.M. Hyera; Shan Naidoo
• Keywords: Maternal death; Medical record

Objective: To understand the elements influencing maternal deaths in Limpopo province, South Africa.Methods: A retrospective review of all which occurred at Pietersburg Hospital, province was done over a five-year period (January 2011 to December 2015). The hospital death register used collate list occurring during study period. medical records were reviewed. total deliveries and live births for each year obtained from delivery registers. data collected included age, parity, referring facility, date admission, time death, ward where occurred, cause death.Results: There 14 685 232 between 2015, resulting an institutional Maternal Mortality Ratio (iMMR) 1579/100 000 births. mean age patients 29 years. Forty-three per cent within 24 hours 35% died ICU 89% referred regional district hospitals community health centres. Of patients, 83% hospitals. Obstetric haemorrhage pre-eclampsia, or eclampsia, main causes death.Conclusion: iMMR Hospital remains unacceptably high. Most are due obstetric haemorrhage, pre-eclampsia surgical disorder non-pregnancy related infections.