Maternal mortality: national versus hospital situation

Int J Gynaecol Obstet. 1995 Oct:50 Suppl 2:S165-S168. doi: 10.1016/0020-7292(95)02505-7.

Abstract

A retrospective analysis of the causes of maternal mortality in two academic hospitals of Dhaka city over a 2-year period was carried out and compared with national figures. These are the country's chief referral institutions, where only the critically ill are admitted. Currently, the national maternal mortality ratio (MMR) is 5.6/1000 live births, while in Dhaka Medical College Hospital the case fatality ratios (CFR) were 24.4 and 17.2 in 1992 and 1993, respectively. In Mitford Hospital the CFR was 11.1 and 5.4/1000 live births, during the same periods. The most common cause of maternal death at the national level was postpartum hemorrhage and at medical college hospitals it was eclampsia. If we can strengthen emergency obstetric care at all levels, we can reduce maternal mortality bolh at the national level and at the referral hospitals.

Keywords: Bangladesh; Maternal mortality; National and hospital level; Variation in causes.