Frequency Distribution of Causes of Death in Pregnant Women Based on Autopsy Findings in Forensic Medicine in Isfahan Province in 2012-2020

Mortality of pregnant women is one of the main concerns in the society. Knowing the causes and trying to reduce its prevalence has always been a health priority. The definite cause of death is often determined by autopsy in legal medicine. The aim of present study is an epidemiologic survey on the causes of death of pregnant women based on the autopsy findings in Isfahan province in 2012-2020.

In this cross-sectional survey, 37 cases of death of pregnant women, referred to Isfahan legal Medicine Center during 2012-2020 were studied. Data about the causes of death and their demographic and clinical characteristics were collected. The gathered data were analyzed using Chi-square and Fishers exact tests.

The frequency of death directly from pregnancy and childbirth was 17(46%), indirect causes of death was 18(49%) and accidental death was 2(5%). The mean age of deceased mothers was 32 ± 6.2 years. Among direct causes of deaths from pregnancy and childbirth, bleeding was the most common 9(24%) and among the indirect causes of deaths at pregnancy and childbirth, Coagulopathy was in the first place with 6(16%). Most recorded number of death of pregnant mothers in 2020 was 15.16 deaths per 100,000 births, the most common cause of which was due to indirect causes. Most mothers had an underlying disease and had also undergone caesarean delivery.

The most frequent indirect cause of deaths in pregnant women was due to coagulopathy. Also, the most common direct cause of pregnant women death was due to vaginal bleeding.