Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Due to Induced Abortion-Comparison of Two Periods

Objective: To compare the two periods’ data of maternal morbidity and mortality due to induced abortion presenting at Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad. Study Design: Comparative cross sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology (Unit-II) Liaquat University Hospital, Hyderabad, Sindh. First period comprised of June 2001 to July 2004 (three years) and second period (four years) was from August 2004 to July 2008. Materials and Methods: Medical records of patients who presented within forty days of induced abortion were collected from August 2004 to July 2008. Data variables like incidence, status of abortionist, type of complication, management option and maternal mortality rate were analyzed and compared with June 2001 to July 2004 data. Results: 32 (6.42%) patients out of 498 abortions presented with induced septic abortion in first period of three years while 72 (7.27%) out of 990 abortions presented with same problem in second period of four years (P-value=0.54). There was no statically significant difference in the status of abortionist (P-value=0.405), management options (P-value=0.226) and maternal mortality rate (P-value=0.792) in the two periods. Only difference was observed in rate of septicaemia (P-value=0.034). Conclusion: Unsafe abortion for termination of unwanted pregnancy is a major preventable cause of Maternal Morbidity and Mortality in the developing countries.