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. 1995 Aug;85(8):753-5.

Maternal deaths in Bloemfontein, South Africa--1986-1992

C A Spies  1 , R H Bam, H S Cronjé, M G Schoon, M Wiid, I Niemand
Affiliations
  • PMID: 8553142

Maternal deaths in Bloemfontein, South Africa--1986-1992

C A Spies et al. S Afr Med J. 1995 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: Determination of the maternal mortality ratio and the main causes of maternal death.

Setting: Pelonomi Hospital, a tertiary care and referral hospital in Bloemfontein.

Methods: Review of prospectively completed structured questionnaires on all maternal deaths from 1986 to 1992.

Results: The maternal mortality ratio at our institution was 171 per 100 000 live births. Haemorrhage (25%), infection (24%) and hypertensive disease (18%) were the most important causes of death. Seventy-one per cent were direct obstetric deaths and 23% indirect; in the remaining 6%, the cause was uncertain. Of all deaths, 35% were considered preventable.

Conclusions: The maternal mortality ratio has decreased since our previous report for the period 1980-1985, and haemorrhage has replaced infection as the leading cause of death.

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