An analysis of 11 maternal deaths during a period of 11 years, from December 1, 1978 to December 31, 1989, is presented. During this period there was a total of 42,265 maternities with a maternal mortality rate of 26 per 100,000 maternities. Three maternal deaths were attributed to "direct" obstetric causes, and eight deaths to "associated" causes. Hemorrhage was the leading cause of direct and indirect maternal deaths (4 cases), followed by cardiac disease (3 cases). The availability of antibiotics and blood transfusion, together with frequent morbidity and mortality meetings, have helped significantly to keep the incidence of maternal deaths from obstetric causes to the minimum and to eliminate abortion, infection, ectopic pregnancy, and molar gestation as causes of maternal death. Our particular concern is the high rate of preventable factors contributing to maternal mortality. These were present in 9 of the 11 maternal deaths. Greater effort is necessary to identify those patients with conditions that predispose to maternal death and to provide the appropriate care to reduce mortality to the absolute minimum. A step in the right direction would be the establishment of a National Maternity Mortality Survey to provide the data and information necessary for identifying and assessing the preventable factors contributing to maternal deaths. Hospital, Riyadh 1978-1989. 1991 11(5): 556-562 The maternal mortality rate is an important index in the evaluation of the level of medical care, especially obstetrical and gynecological, rendered to a given community. The high maternal mortality rate is still a major concern in developing countries. In most instances, deaths occur from avoidable factors, such as infection, hemorrhage, anemia and obstructed labor [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. These factors have been reduced to a minimum, or even eliminated in the developed world [9][10][11][12][13].
A Algwiser, Maternal Deaths at the Armed ForcesSaudi Arabia is a developing country which has made a great effort to improve both maternal and child health services. This has led to a remarkable reduction in maternal and infant mortality and morbidity rates. However, the major problem in assessing such progress is the lack of statistics from most areas of the Kingdom. The few reports published [15,16] on maternal deaths are hospital-based and the findings are, therefore, not representative for the country as a whole. The review presented here is also hospital-based. Causes of maternal death, condition upon admission, associated risk, and avoidable factors are discussed and preventive measures recommended. Hospital, Riyadh 1978-1989 Annals of Saudi Medicine, Vol 11 No. 5; 1991
Maternal Deaths at the Armed Forces
Material and MethodsThe study population consisted of women consecutively admitted to the Armed Forces Hospital in Riyadh. These women were pregnant or within 42 days of termination of pregnancy. The period covered was 11 years, from December 1, 1978 to December 31, 1989. A maternal death is defined as the death of a woma...