Maternal Death in the Puerperium Following Aspiration of Gastric Contents: A Case Report

Mzee M. Nassoro, Ahmad M. Makuwani, Sunday A. Dominico, Alex Ernest, Amon Bamanyisa, Habib Ismail

Abstract: This case report presents a rare incident of maternal death due to gastric content aspiration during the puerperium. A 45-year-old woman who had delivered twins via caesarean section developed epigastric discomfort and vomiting 12 days post-delivery. Despite receiving outpatient care, her condition deteriorated at home, resulting in sudden death. Postmortem findings confirmed asphyxia due to aspiration of gastric contents. The case underscores the importance of comprehensive evaluation and vigilant monitoring of postpartum women with gastrointestinal symptoms, advocating for a multidisciplinary approach to prevent such avoidable fatalities.

Keywords: Gastroesophageal reflux, maternal mortality, postpartum complications, aspiration pneumonia, airway obstruction