Evaluation of obstetric admissions to intensive care unit of a tertiary care centre: a two year study

Care of the critically ill parturients is a unique challenge in obstetrics particularly because of its unpredictability. The major contribution to mortality and morbidity being obstetric haemorrhage, toxaemia of pregnancy, severe anemia and sepsis, especially in developing countries. Method: This study evaluated the obstetric admissions to ICU in our tertiary care 700 bedded centre over a 2 year period; ‘A retrospective Observational Study’, from Jan 2017 to Dec 2018.The information collected included patient characteristics, vital signs and GCS on ICU admission, and outcome of patients admitted. The data obtained were analysed using descriptive statistics. Results: On analysis 0.6% of the total obstetric patients admitted during the study period required ICU admission(390), which constitutes to 1.02% of the total no. of deliveries(38,251).Severe PET/Eclampsia, (44.86%) 175 patients, and obstetrical haemorrhage (37.94%),148 patients were the two most common indications for admission to ICU.156(40%) patients received mechanical ventilation. Conclusion: Obstetric ICU management is a team approach involving obstetricians, anaesthesiologists and other physician/surgeon specialists for the optimal care of these patients. Early referral to tertiary care centres can minimise mortality in critically ill patients.