Maternal mortality in the Nordic countries 1970-1979

Area of Science:

• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Public Health
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The 1970s saw approximately 400,000 births and legal abortions annually in five Nordic countries.
• Maternal mortality rates during this period ranged from 14 to 33 deaths per year, averaging 7.2 per 100,000 births.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze trends and causes of maternal mortality in Nordic countries during the 1970s.
• To compare maternal mortality risks associated with childbirth versus legal abortion.
• To investigate variations in mortality causes and rates across different Nordic countries.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of maternal death data from five Nordic countries during the 1970s.
• Calculation of maternal mortality rates based on births and legal abortions.
• Categorization and analysis of causes of maternal death.

Main Results:

• Overall maternal mortality rates showed a slight decline from 1972 but remained largely stable.
• Mortality risk increased significantly with maternal age, reaching 28.5 per 100,000 for mothers over 35.
• Pre-eclampsia/eclampsia and hemorrhage were the leading causes of death, accounting for 17.0% and 14.2% respectively.
• Legal abortion presented a lower mortality risk compared to continuing pregnancy to term.
• Denmark and Sweden exhibited the lowest average maternal mortality rates.
• Distinct patterns in causes of death were observed, with Finland showing higher rates of abortion and thrombosis, and Norway of hemorrhage and infection.

Conclusions:

• Maternal mortality in the Nordic region was relatively low and stable during the 1970s.
• Advanced maternal age is a significant risk factor for mortality.
• While legal abortion was safer than childbirth, specific causes of death and their distribution varied notably between countries, suggesting complex underlying factors beyond age or procedure type.