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Measurement of blood loss at childbirth and postpartum
Author(s) -
Kavle J.A.,
Khalfan S.S.,
Stoltzfus R.J.,
Witter F.,
Tielsch J.M.,
Caulfield L.E.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
international journal of gynecology and obstetrics
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.895
H-Index - 97
eISSN - 1879-3479
pISSN - 0020-7292
DOI - 10.1016/j.ijgo.2006.06.010
Subject(s) - medicine , childbirth , obstetrics , blood loss , anemia , developing country , pregnancy , surgery , genetics , biology , economics , economic growth
Objective : To accurately measure blood loss during childbirth in a developing country. Method : The alkaline hematin technique was used to quantify blood lost during delivery and 24 h postpartum in 158 women in Pemba Island, Zanzibar. Result : Women were found to lose less blood during childbirth and 24 h postpartum than previously reported. Compared with laboratory values, nurse–midwives approximated blood loss accurately (mean difference, i.e., mean underestimation by nurse–midwives, 4.90 mL); however, their imprecision was greater for higher laboratory values. Conclusion: This study may prompt further investigation, as no comparable data exist for developing countries where maternal mortality is high and severe anemia prevalent.