The causes of death in hypertansive disease of pregnancy: Seven years' experience in a referral medical center Gebeli̇ǧi̇n hi̇pertansi̇f hastaliklarina baǧli ölüm nedenleri̇: Bi̇r referans merkezi̇ni̇n 7 yillik sonuçlari

Objective: To investigate mode of death in hypertensive disease of pregnancy. Material and methods: Morgue registry was reviewed at Ataturk University Hospital between 2002-2008, and cases related with hypertensive disease of pregnancy were determined. Demographic data, clinical data on admittance, diagnosis and death mode of cases were reviewed. Results: A total of 15 cases that died of hypertensive disease of pregnancy were found. Death cause was gross intacerebral hemorrhage in 9 cases (%60), multiple organ failure in 3 cases (%20), adult respiratory distress syndrome in 1 case (% 7) and hepatic rupture in 1 case (%7). Mode of death was not known in one case. Only two patients had standard prenatal care. Eight of patients were admitted to a hospital first time when eclamptic convulsions developed. Conclusion: In the two thirds of the cases, the mode of death was gross intracerebral hemorrhage that was almost a preventable disease. It reflects substandard prenatal care. The processes that cause poor attendance to the prenatal care must be investigated.