Causes and Prevention of Maternal Complications During Pregnancy in Developing Countries
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70818/apjcr.2025.v02i01.034Keywords:
Maternal Complications, Hemorrhage, Hypertensive Disorders, Sepsis, Preventive MeasuresAbstract
Background: Maternal complications during pregnancy remain a significant challenge in developing countries, where healthcare systems often lack resources and infrastructure. Objective: This study aims to investigate the causes and prevention of maternal complications during pregnancy at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh from January 2022 to December 2023. Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted on 190 cases of maternal complications. Data were collected from medical records, including demographic details, obstetric history, type of complication, and preventive measures. Results: Most maternal complications occurred in women aged 20-29 years (52.6%), with 63.2% being multiparous and 63.2% residing in urban areas. The most common complications were hemorrhage (26.3%), hypertensive disorders (21.1%), and sepsis (15.8%). Complications were most frequent in the postpartum period within 24 hours (31.6%) and antepartum (26.3%). Preventive measures included antenatal care (42.1%), iron and folic acid supplementation (47.4%), skilled birth attendants (52.6%), and emergency obstetric care (47.4%). Statistical analysis revealed that hemorrhage was significantly associated with postpartum complications within 24 hours (p<0.05), while sepsis was significantly associated with complications occurring more than 24 hours postpartum (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study highlights the primary causes of maternal complications and the effectiveness of preventive measures. Addressing hemorrhage, hypertensive disorders, and sepsis through improved antenatal care, skilled birth attendants, and emergency obstetric services is crucial for reducing maternal complications in developing countries.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Sumana Das, Nandita Das, Rafia Zannatul Islam, Jannat Binte Harun (Author)
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