Abstract

CHACON, Germán  and  MONSALVE, Nazira. Mortalidad materna en el Instituto Autónomo Hospital Universitario de Los Andes (IAHULA) 1974-2005. Rev Obstet Ginecol Venez [online]. 2007, vol.67, n.2, pp.99-106. ISSN 0048-7732.

Objective: To evaluate the maternal mortality rates, causes, trends, obstetrical and health care factors related to establish alternatives directed to the profit of a more effective obstetric attention. Method: Descriptive, retrospective, epidemiological, and analytical study of the maternal deaths occurred during 1974-2005, in which there were 178 been born maternal deaths and 183,288 alive ones. Setting: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Autonomous Institute Autonomous Hospital University of The Andes. Results: The global maternal mortality rate during the period studied was of 97.11 per living newborn. The main causes of death were pregnancy hypertensive disorders 39.60 %, hemorrhage 32.22 % and infections of gynecological origin in 26.17 %. From the epidemiological factors, the rural area origin (57.87 %) and maternal age between 25-39 years old (46.7 %) represented the higher percentage. Since the obstetrical point of view, prevailed the number of gestations ≥ 3 pregnancies (44.9 %); gestational age ≥ 37 weeks (32.02 %); death post cesarean section (44.94 %). The lapse between admission to the hospital until death was less than 24 hours in 50.59 %, and higher than 48 hours in 30.33 %. Autopsy was performed only in 36.52 %. Conclusions: The rates remain high with tendency to stay high, predominance of the hypertensive upheavals of the pregnancy and the hemorrhages like main causes; what implies that should be implemented an ample strategy in prevention directed to diminishing the maternal deaths.

Keywords : Maternal mortality; Rates; Trends.