Obstetric admissions to the intensive care unit: a 12-year review.
OBJECTIVE
The objective was to ascertain the prevalence, causes and outcome of critically ill obstetric patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).


METHODS
The design was a retrospective collection of data.


METHODS
The setting was a multidisciplinary ICU in a University hospital.


METHODS
All obstetric patients admitted to the ICU over a 12-year period from May 1992 to April 2004 were reviewed.


METHODS
Data collected included demographic characteristics of the patients, pre-existing medical conditions, obstetric complications, invasive procedures required in the ICU and outcome of the patients.


RESULTS
The incidence of obstetric admissions to the ICU represented 0.22% of all deliveries during the study period. The majority (84.4%) of patients were admitted to the ICU postpartum. Obstetric haemorrhage (32.8%) and pregnancy-induced hypertension (17.2%) were the two main obstetrical reasons for admission. The remainder included medical disorders (37.5%) and other causes (6.2%). Associated major complications included adult respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and HELLP (haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes and low platelets) syndrome. The perinatal mortality rate was 20% and the maternal mortality rate 9.4%.


CONCLUSIONS
A team approach consisting treatment by obstetricians, intensive care specialists and anaesthesiologists provided optimal care for the patients. Improved management strategies for obstetric haemorrhage and hypertension may significantly reduce maternal morbidity.
Al-Suleiman
Suleiman A
SA
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.
Qutub
Hatem O
HO
Rahman
Jessica
J
Rahman
M Sayedur
MS
D000328:Adult; D016638:Critical Illness; D005260:Female; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010348:Patient Care Team; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000145:classification / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome