A Study of Maternal and Perinatal Death at Western Regional Hospital, Ramghat, Pokhara, Nepal

Background: Maternal and perinatal death in Nepal is one of the serious problems. It was found that most deaths occur due to poor health services provision as well as lack of access to and use of services. Socio-economic determinants such as poverty, social exclusion and low levels of education significantly contribute to death and disability.Materials and Methods: A retrospective study was carried out analyzing all case records of perinatal and maternal deaths in the department of obstetrics, gynecology and seriously ill Neonatal Care Unit, Western Regional Hospital, Pokhara from 15 April 2015 to 15 April 2018. Data of all births, maternal and perinatal death were reviewed. The reasons for perinatal death and maternal death were also studied. Results: It was found that perinatal death was serious problem among death in hospital. It was found that on an average of three years period the major causes of total perinatal death were asphyxial conditions developing in labour (27.27%) followed by deaths before the onset of labour (24.70%). Majority of maternal death was due to pulmonary embolism (44.44%). Mother age below 20 years and above 40 years were the largest risk factors for perinatal and maternal mortality. Increasing in the level of education was associated with decrease in both perinatal and maternal mortality. Conclusion: The major causes of perinatal death were asphyxia followed by death before the onset of labour and that of maternal death was pulmonary embolism. Socio economic factor such as age of mother, educational level and area of residence directly affects perinatal and maternal mortality rate.