Maternal mortality in South Carolina from 1970 to 1984: an analysis

Although the maternal mortality rate in South Carolina has decreased at an impressive and statistically significant rate over the past 15 years, the overall rate is still 77% higher than in the United States as a whole. Certain epidemiologic variables related to the maternal deaths were analyzed statistically for three five-year periods: 1970-1974, 1974-1979, and 1980-1984. Deaths were more frequent in older, nonwhite, single mothers. Amniotic fluid embolus and ectopic pregnancy have become the leading causes of death. Maternal mortality declined more rapidly in smaller hospitals than in larger ones, probably due to the transfer of high-risk patients. Improved obstetric techniques and practice have reduced these mortality rates thus far. If rates are to decrease still more, this trend must continue along with a sustained effort to provide comprehensive prenatal care to indigent pregnant women in a regionalized perinatal care system.