Changing trends in the Turkish maternal deaths, with a focus on direct and indirect causes

Our aim is to evaluate trends in the direct and indirect causes' distribution using data from National Maternal Mortality Surveillance (2012-2015).

A population-based retrospective review was performed on all pregnancy-associated maternal deaths in Turkey from 2012 to 2015. Causes of death were grouped into direct and indirect maternal deaths and compared in the context of distribution. Maternal mortality rate was reported. Statistics included chi-square test or Fisher's exact test for categorical variables.

Between 2012 and 2015 there were 812 maternal deaths. The maternal mortality rate was 15.4 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2012 as compared to 13.7 in 2015. Direct maternal deaths in Turkey declined from 59.5% in 2012 to 45% in 2015 while indirect maternal deaths increased from 45% in 2012 to 55% in 2015 (p = 0.045). The leading direct causes of maternal deaths were postpartum hemorrhage. The major indirect causes of maternal deaths were circulatory system diseases.

Direct maternal deaths in Turkey appear to be declining. This data will aid the management of maternal deaths.