title: A study of maternal mortality in 8 principal hospitals in Pakistan in 2009.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine maternal mortality to assess the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 5 in Pakistan and suggest remedial measures.
  
  
  METHODS
  Throughout 2009, maternal deaths occurring in obstetrics and gynecology departments in 8 hospitals in Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan, were recorded. A data form was filled in by the duty registrar at the time of death. Data were analyzed via SPSS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  During the study period, there were 47209 live births and 108 maternal deaths (age 17-45 years). Among those who died, 30% were primigravidas, 50% had a parity of 1-4, and 20% had a parity of 5 or more; 20.4% had not delivered, 40.7% had vaginal delivery, and 36.1% had cesarean delivery; 67.6% were unbooked and 32.4% were booked (14 under care of a consultant and 21 under care of a medical officer); 73%, 22%, and 5% died in the first, second, and third trimesters, respectively; 17.5% died prenatally, 4.6% during labor, and 78% postpartum; 73% were in a critical condition and 8% were dead on arrival. Eclampsia, postpartum hemorrhage, and sepsis caused 23, 13, and 13 deaths, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Maternal death can be effectively managed by skilled care during pregnancy, childbirth, and the postnatal period.
authors.affiliation: Obstetrics and Gynecology Unit-I, Holy Family Hospital, Rawalpindi, Pakistan. naheedlari@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Naheed
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Bano
authors.forename: Rizwana
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Chaudhri
authors.forename: Lubna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Yasmeen
authors.forename: Faiza
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Shafi
authors.forename: Lubna
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ejaz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D017052:Hospital Mortality; D006801:Humans; D008428:Maternal Mortality; D008875:Middle Aged; D010154:Pakistan; D055815:Young Adult