Background and aim: To evaluate the occurrence, indications, course, interventions, and outcome of obstetric patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Design: Retrospective study.
Setting: ICU of a Medical College Hospital.
Materials and methods: The data collected were age, parity, obstetric status, primary diagnosis, interventions, and outcome of obstetric patients admitted to the ICU from Jan 2005 to June 2011.
Results: Total deliveries were 16,804 in 6.5 years. Obstetric admissions to the ICU were (n = 65) which constitutes 0.39% of deliveries. Majority of the admissions were in the postpartum period (n = 46, 70.8%). The two common indications for admission were obstetric hemorrhage (n = 18, 27.7%) and pregnancy related hypertension with its complications (n = 17, 26.2%). The most common intervention was artificial ventilation (n = 41, 63%). The mortality among obstetric admissions in the ICU was (33.8% (22/65)). The patients appropriate for High Dependency Unit (HDU) care was (32.3% (21/65)). The statistical analysis was done by fractional percentage and Chi-square test.
Conclusions: Hemorrhage and pregnancy-related hypertension with its complications are the two common indications for ICU admissions. The need for a HDU should be considered.
Keywords: Hemorrhage; intensive care unit; maternal death; maternal morbidity.