An in‐depth analysis of maternal mortality in a quaternary university hospital in Southern Thailand: A 16‐year experience

OBJECTIVE: To perform an in-depth analysis and evaluate the causes of maternal deaths in a university hospital in Southern Thailand. METHODS: A retrospective descriptive study was conducted. Medical records of all women who died during pregnancy or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy at Songklanagarind Hospital from January 2006 to December 2021 were reviewed. RESULTS: There were 51 910 live births during the 16-year period and 68 maternal deaths (31 of direct cause, 36 of indirect cause, and one of unknown cause). The maternal mortality ratio was 131 per 100 000 live births. There was a decreasing trend in the maternal mortality ratio, especially during the past 4 years. The leading causes of death were cardiac disease (n = 17), hypertensive disorders in pregnancy (n = 9), and postpartum hemorrhage (n = 7). The most common indirect causes of maternal death were cardiac disease, hematologic disease, and dengue hemorrhagic fever. There was a decreasing trend in indirect to direct deaths ratios during three study periods. Ratios in 2006 to 2010, 2011 to 2015, and 2016 to 2021 were 1.6, 1.4, and 0.5, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The three leading causes of death were cardiac disease, hypertensive disorders in pregnancy, and postpartum hemorrhage. Improvements in the quality of obstetric care at all hospital levels are required.