ECLAPMSIA THE MAJOR CAUSE MORTALITY IN EASTERN INDIA

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Eclampsia is a very serious complication of pregnancy which is responsible for highmaternal and perinatal mortality. Worldwide, it accounts for 50,000 maternal deaths annually. In spite ofseveral global and regional interventions and initiatives from governments and other concernedagencies, maternal mortality is still very high in India, with eclampsia as a major cause. This study wasconducted to determine the mode of deaths and incidence of maternal mortality associated witheclampsia and to assess how socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the women influence thedeaths.MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a retrospective study of 111 eclampsia related maternal deathsover a period of 5 years from January 2008 to December 2012. Data pertaining to their age, parity,booking status, gestational age at delivery, and time interval from admission to death were also obtainedfrom the records for analysis.RESULTS: Eclampsia accounted for 43.35% of total maternal deaths, with case fatality of 4.960%. Thecommonest mode of death in eclampsia is pulmonary oedema. Death due to eclampsia commonly occursin younger age group of 19-24 years and in primi gravid. Eclampsia related deaths were mostly seen inilliterate and unbooked cases. Maternal deaths were also very common in lower socio economic status.CONCLUSION: Eclampsia still remains the major cause of maternal mortality in this region resultingfrom unsupervised pregnancies and deliveries. There is a need to educate and encourage the generalpublic for antenatal care and hospital delivery by which we can defeat this powerful enemy.