Caesarean section and anaesthetic mortality

Authors

  • Garth Horsten University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Robert Wise University of KwaZulu-Natal

Abstract

Thank you Dr Abraham for your response to our research. The latest data indicate that South Africa has failed to meet many of its Millennium Development Goals 2015 for child mortality and maternal health.1 Current data show that for every 1 000 live births there are 3.1 maternal deaths,2 13 neonatal deaths, 28 infantile deaths and 40 deaths under the age of 5 years.3 Of particular relevance to anaesthesia, the case fatality rate for caesarean section in South Africa is 18.9 deaths per 10 000 caesarean sections, and 14.8 deaths per 100 000 caesarean sections due to anaesthesia. Anaesthesia-related mortality contributes 2.4% of the maternal mortality rate.2 (Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojaa) South Afr J Anaesth Analg 2015; DOI: 10.1080/22201181.2015.1089668

Author Biographies

Garth Horsten, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Discipline of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban South Africa

Robert Wise, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Clinical Unit Critical Care Edendale Hospital Pietermaritzburg; Pietermaritzburg Metropolitan Department of Anaesthetics, Critical Care and Pain Management Pietermaritzburg; Discipline of Anaesthesia and Critical Care Perioperative Research Group and Clinical Fellow University of KwaZulu-Natal Durban South Africa

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Letters to the Editor