A Prospective Observational study on Acute Respiratory Failure In Pregnancy And Puerperium.

Abstract

Abstract Purpose To elucidate the etiological spectrum of acute respiratory failure in pregnant and postpartum patients and its impact on feto maternal outcomes were studied. Methods This was a hospital- based prospective observational study, conducted over 18 months. All pregnant women with acute onset respiratory distress which fit into the inclusion criteria formed the study population. Detailed evaluation was carried out. Maternal and fetal outcomes were noted. Results Incidence of acute respiratory failure (ARF) 0.6%, 50 patients with ARF were identified among 8660 pregnant patients requiring hospitalization for any reason, out of which 58% (n = 29) were postpartum. Among antepartum and postpartum subjects, preeclampsia (38%) and puerperal sepsis (21%) were the commonest causes of ARF, respectively. Our study population had maternal mortality and perinatal mortality of 34% and 42%, respectively. Postpartum subjects with ARF had more severe disease (P = 0.040) and higher mortality( P = 0.016). Conclusion The leading causes of ARF during antenatal and postpartum period are preeclampsia and puerperal sepsis, respectively. ARF during pregnancy is associated with a high maternal and perinatal mortality rate.