Maternal mortality in Ramathibodi Hospital: a 28-year comparative study

A comparative review of maternal mortality rates at Ramathibodi Hospital from 1969 through 1996 including 176, 161 live births is presented. The data are divided into two time periods, both of 14 years, for comparison. A significant decrease in direct obstetric deaths secondary to infection and toxemia (P < 0.05). The rate of deaths due to indirect causes in unchanged. Deaths due to malignancies have increased. This study of maternal mortality demonstrates the need for increased contraceptive services, voluntary sterilization, patient education and preconceptional identification of high-risk patients for further reduction of the maternal mortality rate.