Analysis of the causes of maternal death in China

Data were analysed on maternal mortality for 1984 in 287 cities, districts, and counties in 21 provinces, municipalities, and autonomous regions of China. The total population covered was 177.55 million, and during the study period there were 2 483 269 live births and 1211 maternal deaths, corresponding to a maternal mortality rate of 48.8 per 100 000. The main cause of maternal death was obstetric haemorrhage, followed, in order, by cardiac diseases, toxaemia of pregnancy, hepatic disease, puerperal infection, and amniotic fluid embolism. The health care measures received by the mothers who died are analysed, and methods of reducing the maternal mortality rate are proposed.