MUMBAI: Haemorrhage, sepsis, hypertensive disorders and tuberculosis have for years been the leading causes of maternal mortality in Mumbai. In 2020-21, however, Covid-19 has raced past all to contribute to the biggest share of maternal deaths, as per data from Mumbai municipal corporation.
An analysis of 193 maternal deaths in Mumbai between April 2020 and March 2021 showed that 16.5% were caused due to complications arising out of Covid-19. Sepsis, a life-threatening blood infection, came second contributing to 12% of deaths, while TB and haemorrhage accounted for 8.8% each among new mothers. Heart ailments contributed to 4% of the deaths, as per RTI information gathered by Chetan Kothari.
The city’s overall maternal mortality numbers (193) recorded a 20% drop in 2020-21 compared to 2019-20 (241), possibly because of fewer deliveries in the pandemic year. From an average of 1.50 lakh child births, deliveries dropped to 1.20 lakh in 2020. A cause analysis of maternal deaths in 2019-20 shows that up to 12.5% deaths were caused by haemorrhage, 10% hepatitis (10%), nearly 8% sepsis and 7% by hypertensive disorders.
A doctor from BYL Nair Hospital said Covid does add to complications of the lung and other organs in a small percentage of pregnant women. As many as 43 maternal deaths have taken place between April and May 2021.