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Research Paper | Obstetrics and Gynecology | Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026 | Pages: 2482 - 2486 | India
Maternal Near Miss as a Better Tool for Prevention of Maternal Mortality: An Observational Study with Focus on Preventive Measures
Abstract: Background: Maternal near miss (MNM) refers to a woman who nearly died but survived a life-threatening complication occurring during pregnancy, childbirth, or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy. Maternal near miss is a useful indicator of the quality of obstetric care because it reflects severe maternal morbidity, emergency response, referral efficiency, and health system preparedness. Objectives: To study the clinical profile and associated factors of maternal near miss events, to determine their causes, to document interventions undertaken, and to assess feto-maternal outcomes. Results: Most women were aged 21-35 years (95.08%) and were primigravida (44.26%). Maternal near miss events occurred predominantly after 28 weeks of gestation (77.04%). Referred cases constituted 52.46%. Hypertensive disorders were the leading cause, particularly eclampsia without HELLP syndrome (26.47%), followed by antepartum hemorrhage (14.71%), severe preeclampsia (13.24%), and postpartum hemorrhage (11.76%). Neurological (29.89%) and hematological (25.29%) dysfunction were the most common organ system involvements. All women required ICU admission; 70.49% stayed for 11-20 days. Blood and blood product transfusion was required in 37 cases (25.69%), antihypertensive therapy in 23 (15.97%), ventilatory support in 10 (6.94%), hysterectomy in 9 (6.25%), and dialysis in 4 (2.78%). Maternal survival was achieved in all cases. Fetal outcome showed 34 live healthy babies, 14 NICU admissions, 7 stillbirths, and 6 first-trimester terminations. Conclusion: Maternal near miss events in this study were mainly due to preventable causes, especially hypertensive disorders and hemorrhage. Late gestational presentation, referrals from peripheral centers, multisystem involvement, and need for intensive care were common. Strengthening antenatal surveillance, early diagnosis, timely referral, and emergency obstetric critical care can reduce severe maternal morbidity and improve maternal and perinatal outcomes.
Keywords: Maternal near miss, severe maternal morbidity, hypertensive disorders, obstetric haemorrhage, ICU, fetal outcome
How to Cite?: Anusha Guddeti, Rekha N, Dwarakanath L, "Maternal Near Miss as a Better Tool for Prevention of Maternal Mortality: An Observational Study with Focus on Preventive Measures", Volume 15 Issue 7, July 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 2482-2486, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26730105426, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26730105426