Maternal medicine

Abstract

With the advancement of medical science, more women with medical disorders are reaching adulthood and rearing children. However, these women are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality due to exacerbation of these conditions during pregnancy. When reviewing the leading causes of maternal mortality in Sri Lanka, medical disorders are at the forefront with no sign of decline. The lack of a robust referral system to manage women identified with medical problems in the preconception stage, a dearth of studies on medical disorders in pregnancy in Sri Lanka and inadequate knowledge of these conditions among clinicians were identified as reasons for this non reassuring trend. As a first step in addressing these deficiencies we undertook research in the area of maternal medical disorders. Common medical conditions during pregnancy were studied and relevant recommendations made. We studied pre-existing medical problems in pregnant women in order to gauge the magnitude and pattern of medical disorders so as to make suitable recommendations to the preconception care service through the Ministry of Health with the ultimate aim of promoting ‘life giving’ rather than ‘life saving’.