Spectrum of Obstetrics Case Referrals

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Maternal-Fetal Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• Maternal health is vital for mother and infant well-being.
• High maternal and fetal mortality rates persist, especially in developing nations.
• Effective obstetric referral systems can significantly reduce mortality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the primary reasons for obstetric referrals.
• To analyze the timing, distance, and patterns of obstetric cases referred to a tertiary center.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study analyzing medical records over three years (August 2020 - September 2023).
• Included referral cases aged 18-45, from 28 weeks gestation to 42 days postpartum.
• Excluded cases with incomplete medical records; used convenience sampling.

Main Results:

• 174 cases were referred; 48.28% originated from government district-level hospitals.
• The predominant reason for referral was medical disorders complicating pregnancy (78.17%).
• Most referrals (54.02%) occurred during the intrapartum period.

Conclusions:

• Medical disorders complicating pregnancy are the primary driver for obstetric referrals.
• District-level hospitals often refer cases due to limited resources and manpower.
• Optimizing obstetric referral pathways is essential for improving maternal outcomes.