Obstetric admissions to tertiary level intensive care unit - Prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes

Obstetric admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU) are a subject of increasing interest, as it is an indirect indicator of maternal morbidity and mortality. The studies from areas reported to have a higher maternal mortality rate are lacking. Thus, we undertook this study to determine the prevalence pattern, clinical characteristics and outcome of obstetric patients admitted to the ICU of a tertiary care hospital.

All obstetric patients (up till 42 days of delivery) admitted to the ICU from 1^st October 2015 to 30^th September 2016 and from 1^st October 2010 to 30^th September 2015 were included. Data collected for our study included demographic characteristics, Acute Physiologic Assessment and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE) II score at the time of admission, obstetric and medical history, provisional diagnosis, the reason for ICU admission, interventions required in ICU and the outcome.

The third trimester (46.79%) and postpartum period (40.37%) were the most common time of admission with conditions such as severe pre-eclampsia, eclampsia, HELLP syndrome (Haemolysis, elevated liver enzymes, low platelet count), antepartum haemorrhage, postpartum haemorrhage and anaemia. The mean APACHE II score was 16.89 ± 7.48 with a mortality rate of 17.76%. The mean length of stay in ICU was 3.47 ± 3.16 days, and mean length of stay in our hospital was 8.78 ± 6.76 days.

Obstetric patients recover well if treated early. A good ICU care with monitoring can save a young productive life.