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A Modified Sonographic Algorithm for Image Acquisition in Life-Threatening Emergencies in the Critically Ill Newborn
Published on: April 7, 2023
Maternal critical care in obstetrics
Thomas F Baskett1, Colleen M O'Connell1
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and Perinatal Epidemiology Research Unit Dalhousie University, Halifax NS.
Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Canada : JOGC = Journal D'Obstetrique Et Gynecologie Du Canada : JOGC
|May 7, 2009
Summary
Maternal transfers for critical care are most common postpartum, primarily due to hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders. Multiple pregnancies significantly increase transfer risk, highlighting the need for specialized obstetric care.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Maternal Health
Background:
- Maternal critical care is essential for managing severe obstetric complications.
- Understanding trends in maternal transfers informs resource allocation and clinical practice.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify factors necessitating maternal critical care.
- To analyze trends in maternal transfers to a tertiary obstetric hospital over 24 years.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of medical records for women transferred for critical care.
- Analysis of data from a free-standing obstetric unit to a general hospital (1982-2005).
Main Results:
- 117 women transferred for critical care (1.0/1000 deliveries); 5 maternal deaths (4.1/100,000).
- Hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders accounted for 56.4% of transfers.
- Multiple pregnancies (RR 3.34) and postpartum complications were significant risk factors for transfer.
Conclusions:
- Postpartum complications, especially hemorrhage and hypertensive disorders, are leading causes of maternal critical care transfers.
- Multiple pregnancies are associated with a substantially higher risk of requiring critical care.
- While transfers showed a non-significant increasing trend, the primary drivers remain consistent.
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