Histopathological study of direct causes of maternal deaths

• Author Details:   
• Priyanka M Pawar
• Amruta Shankar Jujgar ^*
• Alka Vikas Gosavi
• Yasmin Altaf Momin
• Samrat Hanmant Kolekar

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Background: Maternal mortality is an index of reproductive health of the society. The leading cause of maternal deaths are direct, which include sepsis, haemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, obstructed labour, abortions and others.

Aim: To study the histopathology of various organs in direct causes of maternal deaths.

Materials and Methods: This is an observational descriptive type of study carried out in the department of Pathology, in a tertiary care hospital for a total period of 4 and half years from 1st January 2016 to 30th June 2020. Histopathological examination was performed on organs from maternal autopsies which were performed in our institute.

Results: A total of 65 cases were studied. Maximum number of cases were seen in the age group of 21-25 years and in multigravida. The commonest mode of delivery was vaginal delivery. Puerperal sepsis was the most frequent cause of death which constituted 26.15% followed by postpartum haemorrhage (21.54%) and Toxaemia of pregnancy (20%).

Conclusion: Puerperal sepsis was the most common, but preventable cause of death. Histopathological findings of organs from maternal autopsies with clinical correlation always helps to finalise a cause of death in maternal deaths and is therefore always recommended.