A Comparison of the Characteristics of Maternal Near-Misses and Maternal Deaths in Enugu, Southeast Nigeria: A 3-Year Prospective Study

Figures & data

Table 1 Maternal Characteristics, n=88

	Maternal Near-Misses, n=60	Maternal Deaths, n=28	χ^2
Age, years
<40	52	28	0.063
≥40	8	0
Education
None	4	0	0.001
Primary school	12	4
Secondary school	16	20
Postsecondary	28	4
Occupation
Unemployed	8	8	0.96
Unskilled	24	12
Semiskilled	20	8
Skilled professional	8	0
Social class
Low	20	16	0.063
Middle	36	12
High	4	0
Duration of hospital admission
0−24 hours	0	16	0.060
3–7 days	16	4
8–4 days	40	8
>42 days	4	0
Mode of admission
Emergency	56	28	0.162
Regular	4	0
Time of admission
8:00 am–6:00 pm	24	12	0.800
6:01 pm–7:59 am	36	16
Referral status
Not referred	20	8	0.825
Referred before labor	12	8
Referred during labor	20	8
Referred postpartum	8	4
Booking status
Booked	12	0	0.011
Unbooked	48	28

Table 2 Organ-System Dysfunction in Women with Severe Maternal Outcomes

	Near-Misses n=60	Maternal Deaths, n=28	χ^2
Cardiovascular
Shock	40	8	0.001
Cardiac arrest	0	12	0
Use of continuous vasoactive drugs	0	4	0.009
Cardiopulmonary resuscitation	16	8	0.522
Respiratory
Acute cyanosis	0	4	0.009
Gasping	4	12	0
Identified renal dysfunction
Oliguria unresponsive to diuretics	4	0	0.209
Dialysis for acute renal failure	3	0	0
Coagulative
Failure to form clots	8	0	0.040
Severe acute thromboembolism	4	0	0.209
Massive loss of blood or red cells	12	4	0.371
Hepatic
Jaundice (in preeclampsia)	4	0	0.218
Global paralysis	4	0	0.209
Uterine
Hysterectomy due to uterine infection	8	8	0.572

Table 3 Complications in Women with Severe Maternal Outcomes

During Hospital Stay	Near-Misses n=60	Maternal Deaths, n=28	χ^2
Severe hemorrhage	48	12	0.001
Hypertensive disorder	36	16	0.489
Dystocia	8	4	0.572
Infection	16	8	0.522
Anemia	36	16	0.489
Admission to ICU	12	8	0.264
Emergency laparotomy	20	8	0.011
Transfusion of blood	36	16	0.489