A Study on Maternal Near Miss: The Submerged Iceberg, in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Central India

Abstract

                                                    Abstract
Background: Maternal near miss is defined as “a woman who nearly died but survived a complication that
occurred during pregnancy, childbirth or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy”. It shows the quality of
obstetric care of any country or society.
Objective: To estimate the proportion of severe maternal morbidity /near miss and its maternal characteristic and
perinatal outcomes in tertiary care hospital of central India.
Methods: The present study was carried out at department of obstetrics and Gynecology at Sultania Zanana
hospital (SZH) Bhopal for 6 months. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect the information
regarding social demographic profile, ANC history and chief complaints was taken from the relatives i.e. either
mother in law or husband. Subsequent information was taken from the mother as she got well and finally got
discharge.
Results: majority of the mothers belonged to the age group 18-25% i.e. 58.73%.Around 55.5% of the near miss
mothers belonged to rural background. maternal near miss ratio 10.16 / 1000 live birth,the ratio of maternal death
to maternal near miss event was 1: 2.17. Hemorrhage and hypertension are the leading causes with 47.61 % and
28.57% respectively. Preterm birth and still birth were more common in maternal near miss cases as compared to
general obstetric admission.
Conclusion: Achieving sustainable development goal for maternal mortality is still a far cry. As there is a huge gap
of near miss cases to maternal death ratio of present study and ratios of developed countries.