Why mothers die at a busy tertiary urban hospital in Kampala,Uganda: a comprehensive review of maternal deaths 2016–2018 and implications for quality improvement to reduce deaths

BackgroundReviewing maternal deaths and drawing out lessons for clinical practice is part of an effective cohesive intervention strategy to reduce future deaths.ObjectiveTo review maternal deaths at the National Referral hospital in Kampala over a 3-year period (2016–2018) to determine causes of death, extent of preventability, proportion of deaths notified and audited as per national guidelines.MethodsTrained-multidisciplinary panels (obstetricians and senior midwives) conducted retrospective reviews of maternal deaths that occurred.ResultsMajor causes of deaths: obstetric haemorrhage (158/350; 45%), hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (87/350; 25%) and infection (95/350; 27%). Overall, 294/350 (84%) of maternal deaths were considered preventable. In 95% (332/350) of cases, delays within healthcare facilities were identified (64%; 226/350). We note that only 115/350 (33%) cases had been audited. This proportion did not change during the studied period. In 48% (167/350) of cases, notification to the Ministry of Health occurred, but only 11% of deaths (39/350) were notified within the recommended 24-hours.ConclusionsA high proportion (84%) of deaths were preventable. Significant delays to care occurred within health-care facilities. Results suggest that a well-supported, and timely maternal death review process with targeted and pragmatic interventions might be effective in reducing maternal deaths in this setting.     

The causes of perinatal mortality in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

The causes of all perinatal deaths at Mpilo Maternity Hospital were investigated over a 12-month period, during which there were a total of 466 stillbirths and 379 neonatal deaths, with a perinatal mortality rate of 36.0/1000 births in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. The causes of death were in order of importance; congenital syphilis (20.5 pc), birth asphyxia (18.8 pc), unexplained stillbirths (11.8 pc), hyaline membrane disease (11.5 pc) neonatal septicaemia (10.8 pc), congenital malformations (7.7 pc), pregnancy induced hypertension (5.4 pc), placental abruption (4.9 pc), congenital infection (2.2 pc) and other causes (6.4 pc). Eleven pc of mothers booking in antenatal clinics had positive syphilis serology. Most were successfully treated. But over 400 mothers with early syphilis escaped treatment usually because they booked late or failed to book at all at antenatal clinics (74 pc) and occasionally because they had false negative results or were infected after early booking (27 pc). They delivered 101 stillbirths, most of whom died prematurely before labour and often had abdominal distension. There were 72 neonatal deaths, most of whom were preterm babies with respiratory distress and often hepatosplenomegaly. One half of the deaths from asphyxia were caused by prolonged obstructed labour and one quarter by prolapsed cord, stuck head in breech delivery and retained second twin. The incidence of both early and late onset neonatal septicaemia was very high with Group B Streptococci, Kliebsiella and Staphylococcus aureus the predominant pathogens. Improved antenatal, intrapartum and neonatal care could substantially reduce the perinatal mortality rate by preventing congenital syphilis and birth asphyxia and by treating hyaline membrane disease and neonatal septicaemia.     

Appearance of a colovesical fistula at cystoscopy

Colovesical fistulae typically present with pneumaturia and/or fecaluria. Diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and malignancies of the colon are the commonest causes. The fistulous tract and adjacent organs are best demonstrated by contrast‐enhanced CT scan with rectal contrast or MRI. Biopsy at cystoscopy/colonoscopy is necessary for complete evaluation and treatment planning.