OBJECTIVE: To accurately measure blood loss during childbirth in a developing country. METHOD: The alkaline hematin technique was used to quantify blood lost during delivery and 24 h postpartum in 158 women in Pemba Island, Zanzibar. RESULT: Women were found to lose less blood during childbirth and 24 h postpartum than previously reported. Compared with laboratory values, nurse-midwives approximated blood loss accurately (mean difference, i.e., mean underestimation by nurse-midwives, 4.90 mL); however, their imprecision was greater for higher laboratory values. CONCLUSION: This study may prompt further investigation, as no comparable data exist for developing countries where maternal mortality is high and severe anemia prevalent.
OBJECTIVE: To accurately measure blood loss during childbirth in a developing country. METHOD: The alkaline hematin technique was used to quantify blood lost during delivery and 24 h postpartum in 158 women in Pemba Island, Zanzibar. RESULT: Women were found to lose less blood during childbirth and 24 h postpartum than previously reported. Compared with laboratory values, nurse-midwives approximated blood loss accurately (mean difference, i.e., mean underestimation by nurse-midwives, 4.90 mL); however, their imprecision was greater for higher laboratory values. CONCLUSION: This study may prompt further investigation, as no comparable data exist for developing countries where maternal mortality is high and severe anemia prevalent.
Authors: Justine A Kavle; Rebecca J Stoltzfus; Frank Witter; James M Tielsch; Sabra S Khalfan; Laura E Caulfield Journal: J Health Popul Nutr Date: 2008-06 Impact factor: 2.000