TDNet Discover

Background: Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), a leading cause of maternal mortality globally, occurs when blood loss exceeds 1,000 milliliters with hypovolemia within 24 hours after delivery. Purpose: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of the different types of quantitative blood loss (QBL) methods to determine which is the most effective for determination of PPH. Methods: Following the PRISMA guidelines, the authors conducted a systematic review that evaluated published literature using databases such as Cochrane Collaboration, Pubmed via EBSCO, CINAHL, Medline, and the search engine Google Scholar. We employed phrases such as "quantitative blood loss" and "obstetrics" during the search. Additionally, the bibliographies of publications were mined for references. This literature review includes a total of 15 publications. We discuss and differentiate the methods of QBL. Results: The most practical method of QBL involves a combination of direct measurement and gravimetric methods. Colorimetric measurement offers the highest precision and is the most costly and intricate method. Conclusion: Overall, recognizing the importance of early intervention and accurate assessment, the study advocates, if feasible, adopting colorimetric QBL to mitigate the challenges of postpartum hemorrhage and its sequelae.