[Analysis of indirect maternal mortality cases].

Among 145 cases of maternal deaths from the period 1975 to 1983, whose data had been collected in a nationwide survey, 30 cases (21%) were classified as associated causes of maternal deaths. 10 deaths (33%) occurred at the birth of the child, 11 (37%) within 6 weeks after delivery, 4 (13%) within the first trimester and 5 (17%) within the second trimester. The disease that was in causal relation to the complication leading to death was known in 16 cases (53%), unknown in 13 cases (43%); in one case information is missing. In 11 cases (37%) it was a cardiac disease, in 6 cases (20%) a cerebrovascular disease and in 4 cases (13%) a disease of the lung. All other diseases leading to the death of the mother were rare diseases. It can be concluded that more emphasis should be given to the diagnosis of cardiovascular diseases during pregnancy and further to the clarification of uncertain conditions in the postnatal period. In case of a disease with high maternal risk, sterilisation should be considered.