A S Adeniran1, A N Ocheke2, D Nwachukwu3, N Adewole4, B Ageda5, T Onile6, A C Umezulike7, A P Aboyeji1, O T Oladapo8. 1. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Ilorin/University of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Ilorin, Nigeria. 2. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Jos/Jos University Teaching Hospital, Jos, Nigeria. 3. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Bida, Nigeria. 4. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada, Nigeria. 5. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Nigeria. 6. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, Federal Medical Centre, Lokoja, Nigeria. 7. Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, National Hospital, Abuja, Nigeria. 8. UNDP/UNFPA/UNICEF/WHO/World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), Department of Reproductive Health and Research, World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the burden, causes and outcomes of severe non-obstetric maternal complications in Nigerian public tertiary hospitals. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING: Forty-two tertiary health facilities. POPULATION: Women admitted with complications during pregnancy, childbirth or puerperium. METHODS: All cases of severe maternal outcome (SMO: maternal near-miss or maternal death) due to non-obstetric causes were prospectively identified over a 1-year period. Maternal near-miss was defined using organ-system dysfunction (WHO), clinical, or management-based criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Causes and contributions of non-obstetric complications to SMO; fetal and neonatal outcomes; health service events associated with non-obstetric complications; and mortality index (% of maternal death/SMO). RESULTS: Of 100 107 women admitted with complications, 9401 (9.4%) were for non-obstetric causes; and 4.0% (375/9401) suffered severe non-obstetric complications. Of the 375 cases of severe non-obstetric complications, 48.8% (183/375) were near-misses and 51.2% (192/375) were maternal deaths. Severe anaemia unrelated to haemorrhage contributed 61.2% of near-misses and 32.8% of maternal deaths. The highest mortality indices were observed for cancer (91.7%), hepatic diseases (81.8%) and HIV/AIDS/HIV wasting syndrome (80.4%). Fatality was significantly high with extremes of age and no formal education. Regarding organ dysfunctions, neurological (77.1%) and cardiovascular (75.0%) dysfunctions had the highest mortality indices. Perinatal mortality was 65.9%. Time from diagnosis of severe non-obstetric complications to review by senior medical personnel, and to definitive intervention was <30 minutes in 30.2% and 29.8% of women with SMO, respectively. However, over 240 minutes elapsed between diagnosis and definitive intervention in more than one-third of women with SMO. CONCLUSION: Non-obstetric complications are associated with poorer pregnancy outcomes and deserve attention similar to that accorded obstetric complications. FUNDING: The original research that generated the data for this secondary analysis and the publication of this secondary analysis were funded by the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a co-sponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization (WHO). TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Non-obstetric causes are important contributors to maternal deaths and life-threatening morbidities in Nigerian hospitals.
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the burden, causes and outcomes of severe non-obstetric maternal complications in Nigerian public tertiary hospitals. DESIGN: Secondary analysis of a nationwide cross-sectional study. SETTING: Forty-two tertiary health facilities. POPULATION: Women admitted with complications during pregnancy, childbirth or puerperium. METHODS: All cases of severe maternal outcome (SMO: maternal near-miss or maternal death) due to non-obstetric causes were prospectively identified over a 1-year period. Maternal near-miss was defined using organ-system dysfunction (WHO), clinical, or management-based criteria. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Causes and contributions of non-obstetric complications to SMO; fetal and neonatal outcomes; health service events associated with non-obstetric complications; and mortality index (% of maternal death/SMO). RESULTS: Of 100 107 women admitted with complications, 9401 (9.4%) were for non-obstetric causes; and 4.0% (375/9401) suffered severe non-obstetric complications. Of the 375 cases of severe non-obstetric complications, 48.8% (183/375) were near-misses and 51.2% (192/375) were maternal deaths. Severe anaemia unrelated to haemorrhage contributed 61.2% of near-misses and 32.8% of maternal deaths. The highest mortality indices were observed for cancer (91.7%), hepatic diseases (81.8%) and HIV/AIDS/HIV wasting syndrome (80.4%). Fatality was significantly high with extremes of age and no formal education. Regarding organ dysfunctions, neurological (77.1%) and cardiovascular (75.0%) dysfunctions had the highest mortality indices. Perinatal mortality was 65.9%. Time from diagnosis of severe non-obstetric complications to review by senior medical personnel, and to definitive intervention was <30 minutes in 30.2% and 29.8% of women with SMO, respectively. However, over 240 minutes elapsed between diagnosis and definitive intervention in more than one-third of women with SMO. CONCLUSION: Non-obstetric complications are associated with poorer pregnancy outcomes and deserve attention similar to that accorded obstetric complications. FUNDING: The original research that generated the data for this secondary analysis and the publication of this secondary analysis were funded by the UNDP-UNFPA-UNICEF-WHO-World Bank Special Programme of Research, Development and Research Training in Human Reproduction (HRP), a co-sponsored programme executed by the World Health Organization (WHO). TWEETABLE ABSTRACT: Non-obstetric causes are important contributors to maternal deaths and life-threatening morbidities in Nigerian hospitals.
Authors: Steffie Heemelaar; Mirjam Josef; Zoe Diener; Melody Chipeio; Jelle Stekelenburg; Thomas van den Akker; Shonag Mackenzie Journal: Bull World Health Organ Date: 2020-07-01 Impact factor: 9.408