Severe maternal morbidity: a case-control study in Maranhao, Brazil.

Background: Maternal mortality and morbidity are among the top public health priorities in Brazil, being quite high, especially among the most disadvantage women. A case control study was developed to identify risk factors for severe maternal morbidity in Sao Luis, one of the poorest Brazilian State Capitals.

Methods: The case-control study was carried out between 01/03/2009 and 28/02/2010 in two public high-risk maternities facilities and in two intensive care units (ICUs) for referral of obstetric cases.

Incidence and main causes of severe maternal morbidity in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil: a longitudinal study.

Context And Objective: Evaluation of severe maternal morbidity has been used in monitoring of maternal health. The objective of this study was to estimate its incidence and main causes in São Luís, Maranhão, Brazil.

Design And Setting: Prospective longitudinal study, carried out in two public high-risk maternity hospitals and two public intensive care units (ICUs) for referral of obstetric cases from the municipality.