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

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.