Diagnosing Causes of Maternal Death in Sub-Saharan Africa
Author Information
Author(s): Jaume Ordi, Ismail Mamudo R, Carrilho Carla, Romagosa Cleofé, Osman Nafissa, Machungo Fernanda, Bombí Josep A, Balasch Juan, Alonso Pedro L, Menéndez Clara
Primary Institution: Maputo Central Hospital, Mozambique
Hypothesis
Clinical diagnostic errors may significantly impact maternal mortality rates in developing countries.
Conclusion
Clinico-pathological discrepancies may significantly affect maternal mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, indicating a need for improved diagnostic practices.
Supporting Evidence
- 40.3% of maternal deaths had major diagnostic discrepancies.
- High rates of false negative diagnoses were observed for infectious diseases.
- Eclampsia was frequently misdiagnosed, leading to false positive diagnoses.
Takeaway
Doctors sometimes guess wrong about why mothers die after giving birth, and this study shows that checking with autopsies can help find the real reasons.
Methodology
A retrospective analysis of maternal autopsies was conducted to compare clinical diagnoses with autopsy findings.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the study being conducted in a tertiary referral hospital, which may have more complex cases.
Limitations
The study was conducted in a single large hospital, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other settings.
Participant Demographics
Women who died during pregnancy or within 42 days after delivery at the Maputo Central Hospital.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI: 0.5%–49.5%
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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