Deaths of women hospitalized for childbirth and abortion, and of their concept, in maternity wards of Brazilian public hospitals

Cien Saude Colet. 2018 May;23(5):1577-1590. doi: 10.1590/1413-81232018235.18162016.
[Article in Portuguese, English]

Abstract

The aim of this cross-sectional hospital-based study of 7,845 pregnancies was to analyze deaths of women hospitalized for childbirth and abortion, and fetal and neonatal deaths, in public hospitals in the cities of São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Niteroi (RJ), Brazil, in 2011. Outcomes of the pregnancies were: one maternal death, 498 abortions, 65 fetal deaths, 44 neonatal deaths and 7,291 infant survivors. Data were collected through interviews, medical records and the women's pregnancy records, and from the Mortality Information System (SIM). The study population was described and kappa coefficients of causes of death (from the SIM, and certified by research) and mortality health indicators were estimated. The maternal mortality ratio was 13.6 per 100,000 live births (LB), the fetal death rate was 8.8‰ births and the neonatal mortality rate was 6.0‰ LB. The drug most used to induce abortion was Misoprostol. The main causes of fetal and neonatal deaths were respiratory disorders and maternal factors. Congenital syphilis, diabetes and fetal death of unspecified cause were under-reported in the SIM. Kappa coefficients by chapter were 0.70 (neonatal deaths) and 0.54 (stillbirths). Good quality care in reproductive planning, prenatal care, during labor and at birth will result in prevention of deaths.

O objetivo deste estudo foi analisar mortes de mulheres internadas para parto e por aborto, e de seus conceptos – fetais e neonatais – em maternidades públicas nas cidades de São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro e Niterói (RJ), em 2011. Estudo seccional de base hospitalar. Participaram 7.845 mulheres resultando em um óbito materno, 498 abortos, 65 óbitos fetais, 44 óbitos neonatais e 7.291 sobreviventes infantis. Dados foram obtidos por meio de entrevista, consulta ao prontuário, cartão da gestante e no Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade (SIM). Foi descrita a população de estudo e estimados a concordância da causa básica (SIM e certificada pela pesquisa) e os indicadores de mortalidade. A mortalidade materna foi 13,6 por cem mil nascidos vivos (NV), fetal 8,8‰ nascimentos e neonatal 6,0‰ NV. Misoprostol foi o medicamento mais utilizado no aborto provocado. Transtornos respiratórios e fatores maternos foram as principais causas entre óbitos fetais e neonatais. Sífilis congênita, diabetes e causas de morte fetal não especificada foram subdeclaradas no SIM. Os coeficientes kappa por capítulo foram 0,70 (neonatais) e 0,54 (natimortos). A assistência de boa qualidade no planejamento reprodutivo, pré-natal, durante o parto e nascimento resultará na prevenção das mortes.

MeSH terms

  • Abortion, Induced / mortality
  • Abortion, Induced / statistics & numerical data
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cause of Death
  • Child
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Delivery, Obstetric / mortality
  • Delivery, Obstetric / statistics & numerical data*
  • Female
  • Fetal Death*
  • Hospitals, Public
  • Humans
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Maternal Mortality*
  • Perinatal Death*
  • Pregnancy
  • Young Adult