Maternal mortality and morbidity due to induced abortion in Hyderabad

Abstract

OBJECTIVES: To determine the maternal mortality and morbidity due to induced abortion in our set up. STUDY DESIGN: Descriptive case series. SETTING: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (Unit-III) Liaquat University Hospital Hyderabad, Sindh from July 2001 to July 2004. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Medical records of patients with complications of termination of pregnancy were analyzed retrospectively. All patients with history of induced abortion who presented within 40 days of termination of unwanted pregnancy were included in study. Patients with habitual or spontaneous abortion or who were admitted after 40 days of induced abortion were excluded. RESULTS: During study period, total admissions in this unit were 3015. Among these, 498 patients presented with different types of abortion. Of these 498 patients, 32(6.42%) presented with history of complication of induced abortion and were included in study. Among these cases, 21(65.6%) patients were in age group 20-40 years; 9(28.12%) below 20 years and 2 (6.25%) above 40 years. Nine (28.12%) patients were primigravidae, 4(12.5%) multipara while 19 (59.37%) were grand multipara. Twenty-four (75%) patients were admitted with sepsis, 5(15.62%) with visceral injury and 3(9.37%) with haemorrhage. Ten (31.25%) patients underwent hysterectomy due to septic perforated uterus while 7(21.87%) patients expired due to complications of induced abortion. CONCLUSION: Induced abortion for termination of unwanted pregnancy is a major cause of maternal morbidity and mortality in our set up.