First descriptive study on the 42 maternal deaths registered during the past ten years (1985-1995) at all five Callejón de Huaylas Hospitals and 16 011 live newborns, representing 262,3 deaths per 100 000 live newborns. Death occurred most frequently between 20 and 40 years old and with parity less than 3. Marital status, education and homework were similar to other investigations. Prenatal control was abscent or sufficient in 78,5%. Direct maternal deaths represented 80,9% and death during the puerperium was 73,5%. Direct causes were mainly puerperal infection, toxemia, abortion and hemorrhage. Indirect causes represented 19% and included anesthesia and one case of bartonellosis. Most patients died before 72 hours of hospital stay. Maternal mortality has decreased form 596,8 (1985) to 392,8 (1994). We consider 40,5% (17 cases) of maternal deaths were avoidable and 25 (59,5%) unavoidabl...

OBJECTIVE: To describe alert curves in patients in labor at high altitude. DESIGN: Descriptive, prospective transversal study from January through May 1997, PATIENTS: 400 term nulliparous and multiparous with cepbalic presentation attended at Huaraz Víctor Ramos Guardia Hospital, with normal labor and without drugs tvere classified in four groups following PLAC, starting the curve at 4 cm dilation. Statistical analysis, data processing and results were done with EPIINFO 5, using 10th percentile. RESULTS: Alert curve is to the left of PLAC, more so compared to sea level (HAMA), maybe due to nutritional status and pain toleration of high altitude women. CONCLUSION: Alert curves in high altitude patients in labor show short dilation times.

OBJECTIVE: To describe alert curves in patients in labor at high altitude. DESIGN: Descriptive, prospective transversal study from January through May 1997, PATIENTS: 400 term nulliparous and multiparous with cepbalic presentation attended at Huaraz Víctor Ramos Guardia Hospital, with normal labor and without drugs tvere classified in four groups following PLAC, starting the curve at 4 cm dilation. Statistical analysis, data processing and results were done with EPIINFO 5, using 10th percentile. RESULTS: Alert curve is to the left of PLAC, more so compared to sea level (HAMA), maybe due to nutritional status and pain toleration of high altitude women. CONCLUSION: Alert curves in high altitude patients in labor show short dilation times.