Maternal Near-Miss as a Surrogate Indicator of the Quality of Obstetric Care: A Study in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Eastern India

Prevalence and determinants of maternal near miss in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis, 2015-2023

BACKGROUND

One of the most challenging problems in developing countries including Ethiopia is improving maternal health. About 303,000 mothers die globally, and one in every 180 is at risk from maternal causes. Developing regions account for 99% of maternal deaths. Maternal near miss (MNM) resulted in long-term consequences. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the prevalence and predictors of maternal near miss in Ethiopia from January 2015 to March 2023.

METHODS

A systematic review and meta-analysis cover both published and unpublished studies from different databases (PubMed, CINHAL, Scopus, Science Direct, and the Cochrane Library) to search for published studies whilst searches for unpublished studies were conducted using Google Scholar and Google searches. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used. Duplicated studies were removed using Endnote X8. The paper quality was also assessed based on the JBI checklist. Finally, 21 studies were included in the study. Data synthesis and statistical analysis were conducted using STATA Version 17 software. Forest plots were used to present the pooled prevalence using the random effect model. Heterogeneity and publication bias was evaluated using Cochran's Q test, (Q) and I squared test (I²). Subgroup analysis based on study region and year of publication was performed.

RESULT

From a total of 705 obtained studies, twenty-one studies involving 701,997 pregnant or postpartum mothers were included in the final analysis. The national pooled prevalence of MNM in Ethiopia was 140/1000 [95% CI: 80, 190]. Lack of formal education [AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.09, 3.10], Lack of antenatal care [AOR = 2.18, 95% CI: 1.33, 3.03], history of cesarean section [AOR = 4.07, 95% CI: 2.91, 5.24], anemia [AOR = 4.86, 95% CI: 3.24, 6.47], and having chronic medical disorder [AOR = 2.41, 95% CI: 1.53, 3.29] were among the predictors of maternal near misses from the pooled estimate.

CONCLUSION

The national prevalence of maternal near miss was still substantial. Antenatal care is found to be protective against maternal near miss. Emphasizing antenatal care to prevent anemia and modifying other chronic medical conditions is recommended as prevention strategies. Avoiding primary cesarean section is recommended unless a clear indication is present. Finally, the country should place more emphasis on strategies for reducing MNM and its consequences, with the hope of improving women's health.

Assessment of Organ Dysfunction and Underlying Causes in Maternal Near-miss Cases at Health Care Facilities in Doiwala Block of District Dehradun - A Retrospective Study

INTRODUCTION

The extent of maternal morbidity is a good gauge of a nation's maternal health care system. Maternal near-miss (MNM) cases need to be reviewed because they can indirectly contribute significantly to reducing the maternal mortality ratio in India. MNM cases can provide useful information in this context. Such women who survive these life-threatening conditions arising from complications during pregnancy, childbirth and post partum (42 days) share many commonalities with those who die because of such complications.

AIM

To assess the organ dysfunction and the underlying causes, associated/contributory factors associated with "maternal near-miss" cases in pregnant, in labor, post-partum women (upto42 days) in the health care facilities of Doiwala block, district Dehradun.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study was conducted over a period of 6 months under the Department of Community and Family Medicine, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Rishikesh. The cross-sectional study included the medical record files of all pregnant women attending the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, in the selected healthcare facilities of Doiwala block, district Dehradun. This study was conducted as per the WHO criteria for "near-miss" by using convenience sampling for the selection of healthcare facilities. The medical record files of all women who were pregnant, in labor, or who had delivered or aborted up to 42 days were included from a period of 01.06.2021 - 31.05.2022.

RESULTS

It was found that Out of the women with maternal near-miss (n=91), the majority of women had coagulation /hematological dysfunction (n=45, 49.4%), followed by neurologic dysfunction (n=15, 16.4%), cardio-vascular dysfunction (n=11, 12%). Out of the total women with a maternal near-miss (n = 91), 10 women underwent multiple organ dysfunctions. Of the total 91 maternal near-miss cases, the underlying cause of near-miss was obstetric hemorrhage in almost half the participants (n=45, 49.5%) followed by hypertensive disorders (n=36, 39.5%). Eleven women had a pregnancy with abortive outcomes (12%) and 7 women had pregnancy-related infection. It was also seen that, out of 91 near-miss women, the leading contributory /associated cause was Anemia (n=89, 97.8%) followed by women having a history of previous cesarean section (n=63, 69.2%). Sixteen women had prolonged /obstructed labor (n = 16, 17.58%).

CONCLUSION

Pregnancy should be a positive experience for every woman of childbearing age. A better understanding of pregnancy-related conditions enables early detection of complications and prevents the conversion of mild to moderate maternal morbidity outcomes to severe maternal outcomes with long-term health implications or death. There are already effective measures in place to reduce maternal and newborn mortality and morbidity.

PREVALENCE OF MATERNAL NEAR-MISS AND MATERNAL MORTALITY, THEIR DISTRIBUTION BY GESTATION AND GRAVIDITY AND CAUSES IN WOMEN WITH LIVE BIRTHS IN DISTRICT PESHAWAR, PAKISTAN

Background: Maternal near-miss (MNM) and maternal mortality (MM) are indicators for quality of health care system. The objectives of our study were to determine prevalence of MNM and MM and their distribution by gestation and gravidity and their causes in women with live births population of District Peshawar, Pakistan.Material Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, Pakistan from January 2017 to June 2017. From assumed population of 185,676 pregnant women in District Peshawar, 10% prevalence of MNM, 1.0448% margin of error and 95%CL, sample size was calculated 3,115. All women with live birth were eligible. Presence of MNM and MM, causes of MNM and MM, gestational age and gravidity were six variables. Being nominal, all were analysed by count and ratio or percentage with 80%CI. MNM Ratio was calculated per 1,000 live births and MM Ratio per 100,000 live births.Results: Out of 3,115 women with live births, MNM cases were 494 with MNMR 158.59/1,000 (80%CI 150.19-166.97) and MM cases were 16 with MMR 513.64/100,000 population (95%CI 349.50-677.78). There were 232 MNM cases in ≤28 weeks and 262 in 28 weeks gestational age with similar MNMR between these groups. There were 244 MNM cases in primigravida and 250 in multigravida with similar MNMR between these groups. There were five MM cases in ≤28 weeks and 11 in 28 weeks gestational age with similar MMR between these groups. There were five MM cases in primigravida and 11 in multigravida with similar MMR between these groups as their CIs are overlapping. Haemorrhage was most common cause for MNM in 365 (11.7175%) cases and for MM in 8 (0.2568%) cases.Conclusion: The maternal near-miss ratio (MNMR) and maternal mortality ratio (MMR) are relatively higher in population of District, Peshawar, Pakistan. MNMR and MMR both have similar prevalence in ≤28 weeks and in 28 weeks gestational age groups and also similar in primigravida and in multigravida groups. Haemorrhage (antepartum and postpartum) was most common cause both for maternal near-miss (MNM) and maternal mortality (MM).