[Analysis on maternal mortality in China, 2000 - 2005].

OBJECTIVE

To analyzes the characteristics, the trend and the leading causes of maternal deaths in China between 2000 and 2005.

METHODS

Data under analysis were those from a population-based epidemiological survey conducted by the national maternal mortality surveillance network which covered a total population of about 80 000 000 in China.

RESULTS

Maternal mortality ratio (MMR) was both higher in the countryside than that in the city and in the remote area than that in the inland and in the coastal region. From 2000 to 2005, the overall MMR in China dropped from 53.0/100 000 livebirths to 47.6/100 000 livebirths, from 67.2/100 000 livebirths to 59.2/100 000 livebirths in rural area, from 28.8/100 000 livebirths to 27.6/100 000 livebirths in urban area. The descending ranges of maternal mortality were 10.2%, 11.9%, 4.2%, respectively. The top three leading causes of maternal deaths in China were obstetric hemorrhage, pregnancy induced hypertension and amniotic fluid embolism in 2000, but minor changes in the ranking of top three leading causes: hemorrhage, cardiac disorders and pregnancy induced hypertension in 2005. The main causes led to hemorrhage were retention of placenta, uterine inertia and rupture of uterine.

CONCLUSION

MMR in China appeared a trend less change during 2000- 2005. The number one cause of maternal deaths was obstetric hemorrhage. Reducing MMR in rural area and improving the skill of treating obstetric hemorrhage were essential to achieve the goal of reducing maternal death in the Outline of Chinese Women's Development (2000-2010).