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Report on Maternal Deaths in Australia 1991-93

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Published year: 1991
Available in print: Yes
Status: Current

Reference No: WH25
Further information: nhmrc.publications@nhmrc.gov.au

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Synopsis of publication:

This is the tenth triennial report on maternal deaths in Australia. It covers the years 1991, 1992 and 1993. The report collates information on maternal deaths provided by Maternal Mortality Committees in each State and Territory.

In the 1991-93 triennium, there were 84 maternal deaths in Australia. Direct maternal deaths (those resulting from complications of pregnancy) accounted for 27 deaths. Indirect maternal deaths (from pre-existing diseases aggravated by pregnancy) accounted for 21 deaths. The other 36 deaths were incidental maternal deaths (occurring in pregnancy but where the pregnancy was unlikely to have contributed significantly to the death e.g. road accidents, malignancies and suicides). This, the largest group of deaths, is not included by the World Health Organization definition, or in maternal mortality statistics reported from most other countries. An avoidable factor was considered to be present in 12 of the maternal deaths. The overall maternal mortality rate was 10.9 maternal deaths per 100,000 confinements. This result is the lowest on record and is creditable in comparison with those of all other developed countries.

Chapter 1 provides statistical summaries of the data collected. Chapters 2-12 consider the complications present in the 84 deaths individually. Many maternal deaths have several complications and so appear in several chapters of the report. The clinical summaries in each chapter provide relevant details that should assist practitioners in the managemen of women with these complications.

Further improvements in the maternal mortality rate and/or the maintenance of the present excellent results in Australia, require study of maternal morbidity (ie the deaths prevented), as well as heeding the clinical lessons in those deaths that did occur.

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