A Data-driven Analysis of Maternal and Child Mortality in District Panna: Towards Evidence-based Strategies for Reducing Infant Deaths

Background: Maternal and child deaths remain sentinel indicators of health-system performance.District Panna, located in central India, has shown a gradual improvement in maternal and child health outcomes through maternal death review (MDR) and child death review (CDR) mechanisms.Objectives: To analyze maternal and child death data (April 2025 to September 2025) from the Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) supervisors survey, determine high-risk pregnancy patterns, and recommend strategies for further reducing infant mortality.Methodology: A retrospective review of the mdr-cdr-asha-supervisor.xlsx dataset was performed.Blockwise trends in child deaths, maternal deaths, and high-risk pregnancies (HRPW) were analyzed.Statistical summaries and graphical visualizations were generated for all five blocks (Ajai Garh, Amanganj, Devendra Nagar, Pawai, and Shah Nagar).Results: Child deaths clustered mainly in Devendra Nagar (33.9%) and Shah Nagar (21.7%), in alignment with the text and Table 1.The overall HRPW prevalence averaged 8.6 per 100 pregnancies, significantly correlating with higher neonatal deaths (r = 0.71, p < 0.05).Most child deaths occurred at health-facility level (61%) followed by home (26%).Major causes included birth asphyxia (33%), low-birth weight/prematurity (27%), and sepsis (16%).Maternal deaths were primarily associated with severe anemia (28%), eclampsia (22%), and postpartum hemorrhage (PPH) (18%).Conclusions: Targeted surveillance of HRPW, quality intrapartum care, and improved referral linkage can substantially reduce preventable deaths.The study emphasizes data-driven decision-making to strengthen RMNCH+A programs in Panna.